The British Parliament passed the Locomotive Act of 1865, commonly known as the 'Red Flag Act,' which imposed severe restrictions on road vehicles, including steam cars. The act required a person to walk ahead of the vehicle carrying a red flag, limiting speeds to 4 mph in the country and 2 mph in towns. This legislation severely hampered the development of steam-powered road vehicles in Britain for decades, favoring the railway.

The 'Red Flag Act' is a curious footnote in the history of transport, a moment when legislation stifled innovation. This event is a reminder of the cultural anxieties surrounding new technology, a theme often explored in poetry and literature. The image of a man walking before a mechanical carriage became a symbol of the tension between progress and public safety.