It is saddening that not a day can go by when it appears that there are reports of fatal accidents on Britain’s roads. In fact it is a news headline which dominates these days and seems to be on the increase.
I previously wrote an article on the changes that the government are looking to implement in relation to driving tests in order to try and provide learner drivers with more awareness and get them used to driving independently on our roads.
However, is this too little too late? Why have the issues not been dealt with before now?
An interesting story caught my eye on the BBC News website today regarding how and when the very first road traffic accident in the UK occurred.
It is reported that the very first fatal road traffic in the UK was exactly 114 years ago when the driver of a Roger-Benz vehicle, travelling at only 4mph ran in to and killed Mrs Driscoll.
On 17 August 1896 Mrs Driscoll had decided to take a day trip to Crystal Palace where there was a motoring exhibition taking place on the day.
At the time there were very few petrol vehicles on Britain’s roads and therefore it was a great surprise to Mrs Driscoll to see one approaching her down the middle of the road. The driver of the vehicle is said to have sounded his bell and shouted for her to move out of the way but before Mrs Driscoll had time to consider her thoughts the driver ran her over.
Unfortunately Mrs Driscoll was killed by the collision and even more shockingly the vehicle was only been driven at 4mph! The report states that the vehicles did have a maximum speed of 8mph however they were limited to only 4mph.
This will be very shocking for many of you given the advertisements we see today regarding why we should travel at between 20-30mph.
Obviously, technology has developed and there are safer systems in place with regards to road vehicles however this story may make you think twice about your speed in future!
