National Youth Traffic Safety Month – May 2025

History of National Youth Traffic Safety Month

Measures for road safety have a long history. Before 1904, road safety signs were erected by motoring and cycling organizations, and there was no uniformity in their design. Though local authorities erected direction signs, they were often carried out indifferently. The Motor Car Act was passed in 1903, which addressed this problem and stipulated that local authorities should erect warning signs at dangerous corners, crossroads, and steep points. In 1904, the Local Government Board issued guidelines on the designs of these signs. These signs were used until the 1930s, even though they were modified in 1921 to include the new road numbering system on direction signs and warning symbols with a title plate underneath.

In 1905, the Automobile Association was established, and it started to undertake several road safety initiatives, including setting up a research foundation. In 1905, speed bumpers were used for the first time in the U.K. In 1909, the International Automobile Traffic and Circulation Congress was established. In 1910, the road board was established to administer grants to local authorities for road improvements but was disbanded in 1918 when the new Ministry of Transport took over its functions. Finally, in 1916, London Safety first council was established to reduce accidents by providing training for drivers in the industry and public transport, street safety measures, and public campaigns.