Red_flag_act

The Locomotive Act (also known as the Red Flag Act) is a reference to the Locomotives Act 1865 introduced by the British parliament as one of a series of measures to seriously control the use of mechanically propelled vehicles on British public highways during the latter part of the 19th century.

Background

The motoring journalist and author L. J. K. Setright suggested that the laws were put in place to suppress motor car development in the United Kingdom because of the financial interests that government and other establishment personalities had in the development and viability of the railway industry.Setright, L. J. K. (2004). Drive On!: A Social History of the Motor Car. Granta Books. ISBN 1-86207-698-7. 

Associated legislation

• The Locomotives on Highways Act 1861:
  • Limited the weight of vehicles to 12 tonnes
  • Imposed a speed limit of 10 mph (16 km/h) or 5 mph (8 km/h) in towns.
• The Locomotive Act 1865 (Red Flag Act):
  • Set speed limits of 4 mph (6 km/h) in the country and 2 mph (3 km/h) in towns.
  • Stipulated that self-propelled vehicles should be accompanied by a crew of three: the driver, a stoker and a man with a red flag walking 60 yards (55 meters) ahead of each vehicle. The man with a red flag or lantern enforced a walking pace, and warned horse riders and horse drawn traffic of the approach of a self propelled machine.
• Highways and Locomotives (Amendment) Act 1878:
  • The red flag requirement was removed
  • The distance ahead of the still necessary pedestrian crew member was reduced to 20 yards (18 meters).
  • Vehicles were required to stop on the sight of a horse.
  • Vehicles were forbidden from emitting smoke or steam to prevent horses being alarmed.MVRUS - Legislation: A summary of important legislation. UK Department of the Environment.

The emancipation

Under pressure from motor car enthusiasts including Harry J. Lawson, the government introduced the Locomotives on Highways Act 1896, which became known as The Emancipation Act, which defined a new category of vehicle light locomotives, which were vehicles under 3 tons unladen weight. These vehicles were exempt from the 3 crew member rule, and were subject to the higher 14 mph (22 km/h) speed limit. In celebration of the Emancipation Act Lawson organised the first London to Brighton run.

The relaxation of usage restrictions eased the way for the serious start-up of the British motor industry.

Notes

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