MOTORING NEWS - Autodealer continues the series on the history of road safety with the second article.
Further developments will be shared with our readers once a month as there is a lot of interesting material available from the British AA's history summary Golden Milestone and the Guinness Book of Car Facts and Feats.
Many of the American references are from Driver and Traffic Safety Education.
1904: Road sign standardisation
Before this time, most signs were erected by motoring and cycling organisations and there was little uniformity in their design, where they were placed or in ensuring an even coverage of the country.
Direction signs were erected by local authorities but often carried out in an indifferent manner.
The Motor Car Act of 1903 addressed this problem and stipulated that local authorities should erect warning signs at "dangerous corners, cross roads and precipitous places".
The Local Government Board was to issue guidelines on the design of these signs, which it did in 1904.
There were three types of sign: speed, prohibition and caution, as follows:
For 10 miles or lower limit of speed, a white ring 18 inches in diameter, with plate below giving limit in figures;
- For prohibition, a solid red disc 18" in diameter;
- For caution (dangerous corners, cross roads, or precipitous places) a hollow red equilateral triangle, 18" in size;
- All other notices were to be on diamond-shaped boards.
The above signs were to be placed on the near side of the road facing the driver, with their lower edges not less than 8' from the ground, and about 50 yards from the spot to which they apply. This information is from a l920 Michelin Guide.
These signs remained in use until the 1930s, although they were modified in 1921 to include the new road numbering system on direction signs and to include warning symbols with a title plate underneath as agreed at a road convention in Paris in 1909.
1905: Automobile Association
Over the years the AA and other motoring bodies have had great influence on road traffic and road safety legislation.
The AA has undertaken a number of road safety initiatives, including the setting up of a research foundation.
1905: First use of bumpers (UK)
1909: International Automobile Traffic and Circulation Congress
This congress in Paris was set up to address problems associated with the movement of vehicles between countries.
It reached agreement on recognising driving permits of other countries, set conditions for acceptable vehicle standards, introduced international index marks and stipulated that drivers must conform to local rules and not those of their home country.
The congress also considered the possibility of international road signs but agreed only on a sign for a dangerous crossing. This was to be placed 250m before the hazard.
1910: The Road Board
Set up to administer grants to local authorities for road improvements, it was disbanded in 1918 and its functions taken over by the new Ministry of Transport.
1913: Select Committee on Motor Traffic
This committee addressed the growing problems associated with the car, including accidents.
1916: London "Safety First" Council
It aimed to reduce accidents by providing training for drivers in industry and public transport, street safety measures and public campaigns. In 1924 it amalgamated with other bodies to become the National "Safety First" Association.
Among its initiatives were a safety code for road users (1924); a journal (1925); a national driving competition and the first film (1927).
Later it initiated a national safety week and film shows for children. It was consulted by government committees of the time and had considerable influence.
In 1941 it changed its name to RoSPA.
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