DID YOU KNOW…
Red Flag Rule: The Law That Made Cars Slower Than a Stroll
For decades, British law mandated that a person had to walk ahead of every car, waving a red flag, severely limiting vehicle speeds and effectively making cars slower than a brisk walk.
The notorious 'Red Flag Act' (Locomotive Act of 1865) was designed to regulate steam-powered road vehicles, but its stringent requirements inadvertently hampered early automotive development in the UK. It imposed a ludicrously low speed limit of 4 mph in rural areas and 2 mph in towns, and required a crew of three—including a flag-bearer 60 yards ahead—to warn pedestrians and horse-drawn traffic. This absurd legislation stifled innovation until its repeal in 1896, which is famously celebrated by the annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, commemorating the 'Emancipation Day' of British motoring.
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