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Horseless Carriage Rules of the day


Ovalrace25

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locomotive_Acts

http://defensivedrivinghabits.blogspot.ca/2011/10/traffic-law-myth-busted.html

Red flag law in the UK

Main article: Locomotive Acts

In United Kingdom, the Locomotive Acts (also known as Red Flag Laws) was a policy requiring self-propelled vehicles to be led by a pedestrian waving a red flag or carrying a lantern to warn bystanders of the vehicle's approach.
 

Firstly, at least three persons shall be employed to drive or conduct such locomotive, and if more than two wagons or carriages he attached thereto, an additional person shall be employed, who shall take charge of such wagons or carriages :
Secondly, one of such persons, while any locomotive is in motion, shall precede such locomotive on foot by not less than sixty yards, and shall carry a red flag constantly displayed, and shall warn the riders and drivers of horses of the approach of such locomotives, and shall signal the driver thereof when it shall be necessary to stop, and shall assist horses, and carriages drawn by horses, passing the same,

The Red Flag Law was repealed in 1896, by which time the internal combustion engine was well into its infancy

Hope some of this helps.

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You're welcome.  It was an easy Google search once I realized that "Auto, Automobile, Automotive" had not been coined yet. I am a fan of steam traction engines and then the revelation came Locomotive!!!

Glad to help, hope your presentation goes well.

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Actually, I think the flag part of the law was repealed somewhat earlier but not the act itself, which limited speed to something like 3 miles per hour. The flag was seen as symbolic of the law, which is why Harry Lawson tore one up at the beginning of the first run from London to Brighton.

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