The Locomotive Act 1865

The Locomotive Act 1865 was a British law aimed at regulating the use of motorized vehicles on public roads. It required self-propelled vehicles, such as early automobiles and steam-powered engines, to have a crew of three people, travel at reduced speeds (typically no more than four miles per hour), and display warning flags in advance of their approach. This legislation was part of broader concerns about road safety and the impact of mechanized transport on public highways, as it sought to balance innovation with the need to protect pedestrians and other road users.