The Need for Speed

 As if it wasn't enough for our harassed legislators to have to deal with those reckless cyclists haring around all over the place they also had these monstrous Motor Vehicles to contend with. But legislate they did and their solutions were nothing short of genius. (And no my first job when leaving school didn't involve a red flag)

Any vehicle other than those powered by an animal, travelling on the road should be preceded by a man on foot carrying a Red Flag at a distance of not less than 60 yards. Any such vehicle should employ at least three people to drive it. A maximum speed of two miles an hour is allowed in Town and four miles an hour in the Country. Such a vehicle must stop instantly if a Horse Rider or the Driver of a Horse drawn Carriage raised their hand. Maximum fine £10

Locomotive Act 1865