Speed

 They say fashions and trends come and go. 1903 and 2023 have something in common. Let’s look at the latter first, September 2023. This month Wales will see the national speed limit reduced to 20 mph. Are there any other countries around the world who have the same speed limit of 20 mph?  Basically no. The joys of motoring in the years to come!

With that in mind, and before we get to 1903, we must look at the earlier years, and the different changes that were made towards motoring.

So, let’s go back to 1835, with the passing of The Highways Act.

This Act allowed the Parish Surveyor to control highways, and to pay for their maintenance from funds which were raised from rates paid by the local residents. The Act stipulated that penalties be paid by anyone who might cause a nuisance by riding on the footpath.

There were fines put in place if anyone was hurt in an accident ranging from twenty shillings rising to 40 shillings. It was also decided that the direction of traffic would be on the left side of the carriageway.

The 1860s and 70s saw the introduction of two Locomotive Acts, one in 1861 and the other in 1865, and the Highways and Locomotive (Amendment) Act in 1878.

The Locomotive Act in 1861 introduced levied tolls where you had to pay for the use of loco-motives on turnpike roads. The speed limit at this time was 10mph on the open road and 5mph in an inhabited area. The 1865 Act, (Red Flag Act), saw the introduction of a man walking 60 yards ahead carrying a red flag. The speed by this time had been reduced to 4mph and 2mph. Anyone caught speeding would be fined £10!

Roads by the time of the Highways and Loco-motive (Amendment) Act 1878, were classified, also which roads came under responsibility of the Parish.

The subject of speed was highlighted in the Locomotive on Highways Acts 1896, having been set at 14 mph, it wouldn’t be until 1903 that the speed limits were increased. The Locomotive Act 1898 required road users to display signs of weight of a wagon. Local Authorities had weigh-ing machines. Failure to comply, resulted in fines.

The main points of the Motor Car Act of 1903 (right) were – Driver Licensing. The lower age limit for a license was 17 and it cost five shillings. It also brought in vehicle identification by Motor Vehicle Registration. Between 1903 and 1932 the number plate consisted of a one or two letter code followed by a number.

The prefix of CY was first used during 1921.

With the Motor Car Act of 1903, the speed limit was increased to 20 mph. The speed limit was widely ignored and in 1930 it was abolished with Lord Buckmaster saying in 1932 ‘the existing speed limit was so universally disobeyed that its maintenance brought the law into contempt’

The Road Traffic Act of 1936 introduced a 30mph limit in ‘a built-up area’.

Who was the first person in Swansea to apply for a driving license?

In the West Glamorgan Archives Service collection there is the Register of Licenses, dating from 1904, listing the name and address of the person, and whether they paid for the subsequent years. Mr. Thomas Randell Lewis, of 38 Mirador Crescent was listed as the first person. Most of those named are men, however there is an exception Miss Amy Louisa Thomas, of 14 De la Beche Street.

Who was the first person in Swansea to receive a fine?

Using the same register, Mr. Harold Simpson Wright , of 10 Eversley Road, committed his driving offence on September 10th, 1907, “Driving motorcycle in a manner dangerous to the public”, then he would have been fined thirteen shillings plus seven shillings costs, or 14 days imprisonment. Tough decision.

Who was the first person in Swansea in 1921 to have owned the first new registration plate?

The Numerically Register Mechanical Propelled Vehicle also in the West Glamorgan Archive Service collection lists the names, and CY 1 was given for a private car owned by Mr. John Charles Morris (right), 5 St. James Gardens. As to what make of car it was remains a mystery!

The first edition of the Highway Code was published in 1930 and it wasn’t until 1935 that you had to take a driving test!

We can only wonder at how long the speed limit will remain at 20mph in Wales.

Copyright - The Bay Magazine, September 2023

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