The first in the history of the victim of a road collision

The first in the history of the victim of a road collision

 The first in the history of accidents involving pedestrians, which resulted in a fatal outcome, there were over a hundred years ago, and more precisely on August 17, 1896. Victim was the 44-year-old mother of two children Brigitte Driscoll.

In London the «Anglo-French automobile company» showed the audience a new car, at the wheel was the employee of the company Arthur Edsell. According to the rules of safety measures car had to move with a speed of 4 miles per hour, but Edsell twice as it is possible, trying to impress the young lady that wants to take a ride on the «miracle-novelty». The driving experience Arthur Edsell was only three weeks.

According to eyewitnesses, the car was moving from the «high speed», while the driver and the passenger of lively conversation. Mrs. Driscoll decided to cross the road, not noticing the fencing and warning signs informing on the movement of vehicles with an engine. Noticing rushing at her strange cart without a horse, Brigitte tried to protect themselves with an umbrella, but failed.

Proceedings of the first in the history of traffic accidents with fatal outcome lasted six hours. As a result the court the jury came to the conclusion that this was an «accidental death», and the criminal case against the company car and the unfortunate driver was not initiated. The verdict read: «Mrs. Driscoll has become a victim of its own negligence», and at the trial the judge said: «It never has to happen.»