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2017/01/28 12:39:51
Subject: 28 January 1896: The world’s first speeding ticket
We hear much these days, in some of our more deranged newspapers, of the “War on the Motorist”, of how the police, government, local councils and the like are concerned only with making as much money as possible from the poor, put-upon drivers of England, via parking charges, traffic calming measures, and most heinously of all, the hated speed cameras.
All this whingeing can be traced back to an event that took place on this day 119 years ago – when the world’s first speeding ticket was issued to a motorist.
A reckless tearaway by the name of Walter Arnold was spotted by a constable hurtling through the streets of Paddock Wood, Kent, at four times the legal speed limit.
The limit at the time was 2mph. You could have walked faster. But in early 1896, the law said you could only go 2mph, and you had to have a chap walking in front waving a red flag to alert the nervous of your approach. But the crazed boy racer sped through the town at 8mph, with no flag-bearer sprinting in front
The astonished police constable mounted his pushbike and a five-mile chase ensued (presumably, bicycles were slower too). Arnold was caught and sent before the beak, where he was fined a shilling.
Mr Arnold may not have been too unhappy with the publicity his case generated, however. He was one of the country’s first car dealers, selling imported Benz cars from Germany. And between 1896 and 1899 his company made its own cars, the ‘Arnold Motor Carriage’, based on the Benz.
Later that year, the Locomotives Act removed the need for a flag-bearer, and increased the speed limit to a hair-raising 14mph. To celebrate, a race from London to Brighton was organised, called the ‘Emancipation Run’. Fittingly, Walter Arnold took part, driving one of his own cars.
A re-enactment of the run took place in 1927, organised by the newspaper the Daily Sketch. It has been held almost continuously since, as the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, for cars built before 1905.
...one wonders then if this was in fact some early attempt at viral style advertising ?
The poor man really has a stake in the country. The rich man hasn't; he can go away to New Guinea in a yacht. The poor have sometimes objected to being governed badly; the rich have always objected to being governed at all
We love our superheroes because they refuse to give up on us. We can analyze them out of existence, kill them, ban them, mock them, and still they return, patiently reminding us of who we are and what we wish we could be.
"the play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king,
2017/01/29 00:29:06
Subject: 28 January 1896: The world’s first speeding ticket
I'm imagining a chaotic chase where people dash and scream to get out of the way as the fleeing vehicle pancakes horse carriages, and the pursuing bicycle waves passersby away because they're in the way.
All at a walking pace.
This seems like something that belonged in a Monty Python skit XD
LordofHats wrote: It must have been. At 4 mph it must have lasted at least an hour if they went five miles XD
8mph!
LordofHats wrote: I'm imagining a chaotic chase where people dash and scream to get out of the way as the fleeing vehicle pancakes horse carriages, and the pursuing bicycle waves passersby away because they're in the way.
All at a walking pace.
A moderate running pace!
If I remember correctly the Benz Waggon only had a range of 5 miles, so presumably the policeman was unable to stop him at all.
insaniak wrote: Sometimes, Exterminatus is the only option.
And sometimes, it's just a case of too much scotch combined with too many buttons...
2017/01/29 10:32:27
Subject: 28 January 1896: The world’s first speeding ticket
LordofHats wrote: It must have been. At 4 mph it must have lasted at least an hour if they went five miles XD
8mph!
LordofHats wrote: I'm imagining a chaotic chase where people dash and scream to get out of the way as the fleeing vehicle pancakes horse carriages, and the pursuing bicycle waves passersby away because they're in the way.
All at a walking pace.
A moderate running pace!
If I remember correctly the Benz Waggon only had a range of 5 miles, so presumably the policeman was unable to stop him at all.
I believe it had a range longer than that, the first "long distance" car trip was done by Benz's wife and was over 100 miles, though they did refuel along the way I don't believe they had to refuel 20+ times.
And the article about was 1896, so it was probably a Benz Velo.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2017/01/29 15:38:21
2017/01/29 11:44:42
Subject: 28 January 1896: The world’s first speeding ticket
Sorry I swapped my 8 and my 9, I meant the article was referring to 1896 which was 2 years after they started producing the Velo and the Velo was more heavily produced than the Motorwagon, so it was probably a Velo or an Arnold (which I understand was a license built Velo).
2017/01/29 15:54:35
Subject: 28 January 1896: The world’s first speeding ticket
I must admit I read the article as 1886... having a moment. Quite probably a velo then. Either way I can't imagine it being particularly nice even at that speed on unmade roads for half an hour.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/01/29 15:56:52
insaniak wrote: Sometimes, Exterminatus is the only option.
And sometimes, it's just a case of too much scotch combined with too many buttons...
2017/01/29 20:58:26
Subject: 28 January 1896: The world’s first speeding ticket
We hear much these days, in some of our more deranged newspapers, of the “War on the Motorist”, of how the police, government, local councils and the like are concerned only with making as much money as possible from the poor, put-upon drivers of England, via parking charges, traffic calming measures, and most heinously of all, the hated speed cameras.
All this whingeing can be traced back to an event that took place on this day 119 years ago – when the world’s first speeding ticket was issued to a motorist.
A reckless tearaway by the name of Walter Arnold was spotted by a constable hurtling through the streets of Paddock Wood, Kent, at four times the legal speed limit.
The limit at the time was 2mph. You could have walked faster. But in early 1896, the law said you could only go 2mph, and you had to have a chap walking in front waving a red flag to alert the nervous of your approach. But the crazed boy racer sped through the town at 8mph, with no flag-bearer sprinting in front
The astonished police constable mounted his pushbike and a five-mile chase ensued (presumably, bicycles were slower too). Arnold was caught and sent before the beak, where he was fined a shilling.
Mr Arnold may not have been too unhappy with the publicity his case generated, however. He was one of the country’s first car dealers, selling imported Benz cars from Germany. And between 1896 and 1899 his company made its own cars, the ‘Arnold Motor Carriage’, based on the Benz.
Later that year, the Locomotives Act removed the need for a flag-bearer, and increased the speed limit to a hair-raising 14mph. To celebrate, a race from London to Brighton was organised, called the ‘Emancipation Run’. Fittingly, Walter Arnold took part, driving one of his own cars.
A re-enactment of the run took place in 1927, organised by the newspaper the Daily Sketch. It has been held almost continuously since, as the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, for cars built before 1905.
...one wonders then if this was in fact some early attempt at viral style advertising ?
This is an interesting piece of automotive history. Thanks for posting and sharing.
Proud Purveyor Of The Unconventional In 40k
2017/01/30 13:26:57
Subject: 28 January 1896: The world’s first speeding ticket
Wasn't this also the time automobile owners were adviced to flee the scene of an accident "because jealous people and those opposed to progress aren't likely to give you the benefit of a doubt" so better try to run?
