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Milestones in UK Road Safety Trivia Quiz

As British roads have got busier, legislation has been passed to try and regulate driver behaviour and promote safety. This quiz is about some of those laws, and their effects.

A multiple-choice quiz by talbotbruno. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
talbotbruno

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
272,199

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
9 / 15

Plays
685

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. The Locomotive Act 1865 was otherwise known by what name? Hint

The White Flag Act

The Red Flag Act

The Chequered Flag Act

The Green Flag Act

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Question 2 of 15

2. What was the maximum speed allowed for self-propelled motor vehicles under the terms of the Locomotive Act 1865? Hint

4 mph everywhere.

There was no speed limit set

6 mph in the countryside and 4mph in towns

4 mph in the countryside and 2mph in the towns.

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Question 3 of 15

3. In 1896, with the passing of the Locomotives on Highways Act, a new class of "light vehicles" was created. What was the maximum unladen weight of these supposedly light vehicles? Hint

Up to 3 tons

Up to 2 tons

Less than a ton

Up to 5 tons

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Question 4 of 15

4. To celebrate the introduction of the "Locomotives on Highways Act 1896" (also known as the "Emancipation Act"), Henry J Lawson instituted which annual event? Hint

The World Marbles Championships

Hastings Chess Tournament

London to Brighton Rally

Monte Carlo Rally

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Question 5 of 15

5. Which of the following was NOT introduced by the 1903 Motor Car Act? Hint

Car Insurance

Compulsory Vehicle Registration

Driving Licences

An increased maximum speed limit of 20 mph

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Question 6 of 15

6. In which year was the Highway Code first introduced? Hint

1934

1928

1931

1937

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Question 7 of 15

7. What were Belisha Beacons? Hint

Studs that contain retro-reflectors to aid nighttime driving

An early warning system left over from the Napoleonic Wars

Flashing orange globes

Road cones

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Question 8 of 15

8. What kind of animal was Tufty Fluffytail? Hint

Red Squirrel

Rabbit

Raccoon

Rhino

9. With the development of faster and faster cars, the newly built motorways encouraged some drivers to go at lunatic speeds. In which year was the current 70mph national speed limit passed by Parliament? Hint

1968

1971

1962

1965

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Question 10 of 15

10. In 1972, it was made compulsory for all motorcyclists in the UK to wear what? Hint

Helmets

Leathers

Goggles

Dentures

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Question 11 of 15

11. The appearance of what tells pedestrians it is safe to cross the road at a Pelican crossing? Hint

Pelican

Little green man

Policeman

Nun

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Question 12 of 15

12. Under the Green Cross code, what were you meant do once you had thought carefully and found somewhere safe to cross the road? Hint

Look

Stop!

Listen

Jaywalk

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Question 13 of 15

13. Lieutenant Commander "Bill" Boaks was an eccentric gentlemen who stood for Parliamentary election many times. He often stood as the "Air, Road, Public Safety, White Resident" candidate. He died in 1986. How did he die? Hint

He drove into the back of a lorry.

He was beaten to death by an irate voter.

He died of complications arising from a head injury

He died of old age

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Question 14 of 15

14. In an effort to discourage illegal parking, the UK traffic authorities introduced wheel clamps to be fitted to offending vehicles. What do Americans call these devices? Hint

Denver Boots

San Francisco Giants

New York Posts

Cleveland clamps

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Question 15 of 15

15. As a result of the safety measures introduced over the years, and advances in technology to do with car manufacture (ABS brakes, crumple zones, etc), UK road deaths have come down substantially. How many died on Britain's roads in 2004 Hint

6759

5546

5875

3221

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The Locomotive Act 1865 was otherwise known by what name?

Answer: The Red Flag Act

Under the Act, it was stipulated that someone carrying a red flag would have to walk 60 yards (55 meters) ahead of any self propelled motor vehicle, and warn horse-drawn traffic of the approaching menace.

2. What was the maximum speed allowed for self-propelled motor vehicles under the terms of the Locomotive Act 1865?

Answer: 4 mph in the countryside and 2mph in the towns.

The flag carrier had to enforce a walking pace. Drivers were not encouraged to run over their flagmen.

Despite the lethargic progress, statistics show over 1500 fatalities in RTA's by 1875.

3. In 1896, with the passing of the Locomotives on Highways Act, a new class of "light vehicles" was created. What was the maximum unladen weight of these supposedly light vehicles?

Answer: Up to 3 tons

Also known as The Emancipation Act, it removed the need for the lighter vehicles to have a minimum crew of 3 (driver/stoker/flagman) and allowed them to race along at 14 mph. The relaxation of the 3 crew rule eased the way for the rapid growth of the British car industry.

4. To celebrate the introduction of the "Locomotives on Highways Act 1896" (also known as the "Emancipation Act"), Henry J Lawson instituted which annual event?

Answer: London to Brighton Rally

The Royal Automobile Club's annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is the world's longest-running motoring event. As it is a 60 mile run from Hyde Park in central London to the seafront on the Sussex resort of Brighton, many of the elderly vehicles (and some of the occupants) find it all too much.

5. Which of the following was NOT introduced by the 1903 Motor Car Act?

Answer: Car Insurance

Local Authorities could reduce the maximum speed limit to 10 mph in areas that they thought too dangerous.

Car Insurance was made compulsory in 1930.

6. In which year was the Highway Code first introduced?

Answer: 1931

The Road Traffic Act of 1930 had required the Minister of Transport to prepare
a code of directions for the guidance of road users. It was published the following year.

7. What were Belisha Beacons?

Answer: Flashing orange globes

Placed on top of poles on each side of the road, they marked pedestrian crossings, and helped drivers kill fewer people. They were named after Leslie Hore Belisha (later 1st Baron Hore-Belisha), Minister of Transport 1934-37, who also introduced the compulsory driving test.

The early warning system against the Napoleonic threat was a chain of Martello Towers around the coast.

The studs were called Catseyes, but didnt involve any animal cruelty. These were invented and manufactured in Yorkshire by Percy Shaw.

8. What kind of animal was Tufty Fluffytail?

Answer: Red Squirrel

Tufty was created by Elsie Mills MBE, and was used in a series of public information films aimed at children, so that they would cross the road safely.
People of a certain age may remember being in the Tufty Club, which started in 1961. I probably have a badge somewhere!

The essence of such messages seemed to be "When you want to go to the ice cream van, always take mummy with you".

Answer: 1965

This measure was piloted through Parliament by Minister of Transport Thomas Fraser M.P. He was immediately replaced by Barbara Castle who introduced the breathalyser in 1967.

10. In 1972, it was made compulsory for all motorcyclists in the UK to wear what?

Answer: Helmets

Successive Goverments throughout the 1970s attempted to make the wearing of seat belts in cars compulsory, but this wasn't passed until 1983.

www.rospa.com/history/beltingup.htm

11. The appearance of what tells pedestrians it is safe to cross the road at a Pelican crossing?

Answer: Little green man

The official name is Pelicon crossing (short for PEdestrian LIght CONtrolled crossing).

12. Under the Green Cross code, what were you meant do once you had thought carefully and found somewhere safe to cross the road?

Answer: Stop!

The Green Cross code was drawn up by ROSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) and is promoted by the Department of the Environment, in continued efforts to reduce pedestrian deaths and injuries.

Answer: He died of complications arising from a head injury

This was sustained in a Road Traffic Accident while getting off a bus in 1984.

14. In an effort to discourage illegal parking, the UK traffic authorities introduced wheel clamps to be fitted to offending vehicles. What do Americans call these devices?

Answer: Denver Boots

The Denver boot was invented and patented in 1953 by Frank Marugg. Marugg was an inventor and a violinist with the Denver Symphony Orchestra.

Answer: 3221

This figure was the lowest since accurate records began to be kept in 1926.

Source: Author talbotbruno

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor TabbyTom before going online.
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