A History

As our roads become increasingly complex, extensive, and busy, it is hard to imagine what they were like at the advent of the motor vehicle in the 19th century.  Unfortunately, history shows the motor vehicle to have caused death and injury for more than a hundred years.

17th August 1896 - the first death caused by a petrol driven vehicle in Great Britain

Bridget Driscoll, aged 44, was struck whilst walking to a fete in Crystal Palace, London.  The driver, 20 year-old Arthur Edsell, was found to be driving at twice the speed limit and with a mere three weeks driving experience.  The coroner recorded a verdict of “accidental death”.

10th September 1897 - the first drink-drive conviction in Great Britain

George Smith, aged 25, who worked for the Electric Cab Company of Hackney drove his Taxi onto the pavement and into the front of 165 Bond Street, London; he admitted “having had two or three glasses of beer” and was fined 20 shillings.

23rd September 1897 - the first child death caused by a motor vehicle in Great Britain

Stephen Kempton of London, aged 9, was riding in the back of a taxi owned by the Electric Cab Company of London; he was caught in the vehicle’s unguarded wheels and was crushed to death.

13th February 1898 - the first motor vehicle occupant death in Great Britain

Henry Lindfield, aged 42, crashed his car into a tree at the bottom of a hill in Purley, Surrey on 12 February 1898.  A failure of the vehicle’s steering and brakes caused the incident.  The main artery in his leg was severed and whilst Hospital surgeons attempted to save his life by amputating the limb, he died the following day.  His son Bernard was also in the car when it crashed, but was thrown clear of the vehicle and escaped with minor injuries.