Today in the UK we are blessed with one of the lowest road casualty rates in the world. The number of road fatalities has been dropping annually for many years – despite a rising population and ever-busier roads – to 1,713 last year.

Any death is of course unwanted, but the figure does show how much progress has been made in road safety. 118 years ago, losing that many people on our roads was unthinkable. And a report from 1896, recently published by The Guardian from its archives, demonstrates how unprepared UK citizens were for the dangers of car travel.

It documents Britain’s first ever fatal car crash, which took place near Crystal Palace. One Bridget Driscoll, the wife of a labourer, was hit by the car in question. The vehicle had swerved to avoid three pedestrians, one of which was Mrs Driscoll, who apparently hesitated and moved into the path of the car. The driver had shouted “Stand back”, but to no avail.

What is striking in the article is that the car was said to be going only 4mph. It also claims that the driver was unsure as to whether he should be driving on the left or the right.

The Coroner cautioned the driver, one Arthur James Edsell, after the jury returned a verdict of accidental death.

The sad incident does show just how far road safety has come in terms of both driver and pedestrian awareness.