XPost: rec.arts.sf.written, rec.arts.sf.science
From: robban@clubtelco.com
On 20/01/2014 1:34 pm, Your Name wrote:
> In article , Robert Bannister
> wrote:
>> On 19/01/2014 7:52 pm, Thomas Koenig wrote:
>>> Robert Bannister schrieb:
>>>>
>>>> In fact, towards the end of the 19th century the traffic situation with
>>>> horse-drawn vehicles was as bad if not worse than today. There are a few
>>>> photographs and drawings around of grid lock in London and elsewhere.
>>>> Road accidents were also very common. No speedometers or speed limits
>>>> back then.
>>>
>>> There were also a lot of cases of sudden acceleration (many more than
>>> with today's cars). Traffic accidents were much more frequent as
>>> a result.
>>
>> Although car drivers are no better and often worse than carriage
>> drivers, at least cars don't get spooked by trivial noises or movements.
>
> Maybe not, but a driver can be spooked and lose control of the car.
> Plus a car usually weighs quite a bit more and goes faster ...
> therefore causing more damage.
I'm not so sure about a loaded cart being lighter. I'll concede the
speed, although some young aristocrats in their light, but speedy
2-wheelers could set a cracking pace and who cares about the peasants?
>
> Cars can also of course have unexpected problems, whether mechanically
> or due to road / weather conditions (for example if the driver doesn't
> know or see oil spilt on the road). Or the driver for some reason
> health reason loses control (heart attack, passes out, etc.)
These, plus the reasons I have snipped, could all have happened to the
drivers of carriages and carts, although I expect any kids throwing
rocks from a bridge would have been caught and given summary justice.
--
Robert Bannister - 1940-71 SE England
1972-now W Australia
--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)
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