facts

Belisha beacons were first introduced to the UK in 1934 and were named after a transport minister of the time called Leslie Hore Belisha.

Driving tests were introduced in 1934.

The thirty mph speed limit in urban areas first came into effect in the UK in March 1935.

Before the ‘Green Cross Code’, children learned the ‘kerb drill’ which was introduced in 1941.

The first zebra crossing with black and white stripes on the road appeared in the UK in 1951.

The wearing of seatbelts by drivers and front seat passengers was introduced in GB by legislation in 1983. Further legislation in 1989 and 1991 required children and adults to use rear seat restraints.

First Toucan was commissioned in Southampton in February 1991.

In 1999, between 750,000 and 880,000 lives were lost in road crashes across the world, and it is thought that 30-45 injuries, many resulting in life long disability, occur for every road death.