HORSEPOWER & SASS

The world’s first speed limit was “no faster than a horse’s gossip.” Traffic laws used to be personal.

✗ FAKE
The earliest speed limits were numeric and set by law. For example, Britain's Locomotive Act of 1865 limited self-propelled vehicles to 4 mph in the country and 2 mph in towns. Gossip was not a measure.

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The first parking meter accepted payment in compliments. Sadly, drivers ruined that too.The first fuel type was “whatever’s in the shed.” Early engines were basically dumpster-diving.The average new car has over 100 million lines of code — your ride is a rolling app with cupholders and patch notes.The first stop sign said “PLEASE” in cursive. Drivers ignored it anyway.License plates were first used in France in 1893 — bonjour, bureaucracy (and speed camera grandparents).The first car company slogan was “It probably works.” And honestly, some brands never updated it.See all Horsepower & Sass facts →

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The world’s first speed limit was “no faster than a horse’s gossip.” Traffic laws used to be personal. | SmartAss Facts