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The Firsts in the History of World Traffic
As wheel got invented in the Mesopotamian Civilization, our own
civilization was set to motion, for it wheeled our imaginations. In 1645 a
sort of cycle was invented by Jean Theson but it had no Brakes, Pedal or
Steering and needed feet motion. Laufmachine cycle was then created by Karl
Von (1817). Soon this was made into the regal Dandy Horse by Dennis
Johnson. In 1839 the proper cycle was shaped by K. Macmillan. It had iron
wheels and a wooden frame. The manifestation of automobile horse-power was
taught in 1769 by Nicolas Joseph Cugnot, who invented the first 'Steam
Truck' which the French army thought was useful.
Then after, automobiles enveloped our life and culture. But the notion
called 'accident' endangered our future. The first accident of the
Steam Truck in 1771 was the eye opener.
During 1899 the first fatal accident took place with the death of a driver.
Then onward, the world coined several road safety measures. Still, the
present scenario is such that 5 lakh people are killed and millions are
injured all over the world every year in road accidents.
This accident menace makes our children an endangered species of the
future. So let us teach our children, the Road Safety Culture. Today's
informed child only can ensure a safe future.
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The First Accident
In 1771 the first accident involving a motor vehicle took place in Paris
when Cugnot's steam tractor hit a low wall in the grounds of the Paris
arsenal.
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First Fatal Car Accident
The first motor-car accident in Britain resulting in the death of the
driver occurred in Grove Hill, Harrow-on-the Hill, London, on 25th February
1899.
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First Box Junction
Box junctions, marked with yellow cross-hatching, were introduced in London
during 1964. The aim was to prevent traffic blocking junctions when it
could not proceed and this was successful.
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First Traffic Police Woman
Police women were used for traffic control duties for the first time in
Paris in 1964. Delhi introduced women traffic police in 1989.
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The First Traffic Light of the World
The World's first traffic lights were installed in Detroit, USA in
1919. The first traffic lights in Britain were installed in Wolverhampton
during 1928. However, they did not come to London till 1932.
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The First Petrol Pump
The first petrol pump was installed in USA in 1906
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First Man to be Challaned
In 1895 John Henry Knight was convicted and fined for using a
motor-tricycle on the highway. He was probably the first motorist to appear
in court.
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World's first white road lines
The world's first white road lines were painted on highway near the
Ontario/Quebec border in 1930. John D. Millar, an engineer working for the
Ontario Department of Transport, came up with the idea to improve road
safety.
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The First Act
The Locomotives and Highway Act was the first piece of British motoring
legislation. This was also known as the Red Flag Act of 1865. The act
required three persons in attendance one to steer, one to stoke and one to
walk 60 yards ahead with a red flag to warn the oncoming traffic.
