Arnold wasn’t just a motorist out for a drive, though. He was a supplier of Benz vehicles who was also in the process of developing and launching the Arnold Motor Carriage, based on the Benz design. His drive down Paddock Wood High Street may have partly been a publicity stunt to attract attention to his business.
The police officer who noticed Arnold’s high-speed joyride was on a bicycle, and it took him five miles to catch up with Arnold. The driver was charged with “using a carriage without a locomotive horse” on a public road, as well as three lesser counts that would usually be applied to horse-drawn vehicles: driving with less than three people (including someone tasked with walking in front with a red signal flag), driving without his name and address on the vehicle, and exceeding the speed limit of two miles per hour.
At his court appearance two days later, Arnold was required to pay 10 shillings for the speeding offense, though, collectively, the fines and fees cost him £4 and 7 shillings, or approximately £260 in today’s money.
A historic speeding ticket:
- In addition to drumming up publicity for Arnold’s Benz imports and brand-new Arnold Motor Car, the case likely resulted in the speed limit being raised to 14 miles per hour shortly after.
- Between 1896 and 1898, Benz and his business partner Henry Hewetson created 12 Arnold motor cars, which were based on the Benz Velo with several modifications and a unique engine. The Arnold-Benz became Britain’s first series-produced car.
- In November 1896, six Arnold cars took place in the “Emancipation Run” between London and Brighton to celebrate the Locomotives on Highways Act, which introduced the 14 mph speed and other pro-motor vehicle changes. The event ultimately evolved into the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, which is now the world’s longest-running motoring event.
