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Story
September 17, 1930
Smyrna Times
Smyrna, Kent County, Delaware
What is this article about?
The first speed law in America, enacted by Boston's board of selectmen in 1757, restricted coaches, sleighs, and other carriages to a walking pace on Sundays to prevent disturbances during church services, with a ten-shilling penalty for violations.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
Original Speed Law?
The first speed law passed in
America was drawn by the board of
selectmen of Boston in 1757. The
ordinance follows: "Owing to great
danger arising oftentimes from
coaches, sleighs, chairs and other
carriages on the Lord's days, as
people are going to or coming from
the several churches in this town,
being driven with great rapidity,
and the public worship being often-
times much disturbed by such car-
riages, it is therefore voted and or-
ordered that no coach, sleigh, chair,
chaise or other carriage at such
times be driven at a greater rate
than a foot pace, on penalty to the
master of the slave or servant so
driving of the sum of ten shillings."
The first speed law passed in
America was drawn by the board of
selectmen of Boston in 1757. The
ordinance follows: "Owing to great
danger arising oftentimes from
coaches, sleighs, chairs and other
carriages on the Lord's days, as
people are going to or coming from
the several churches in this town,
being driven with great rapidity,
and the public worship being often-
times much disturbed by such car-
riages, it is therefore voted and or-
ordered that no coach, sleigh, chair,
chaise or other carriage at such
times be driven at a greater rate
than a foot pace, on penalty to the
master of the slave or servant so
driving of the sum of ten shillings."
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Social Manners
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Speed Law
Boston Ordinance
1757
Lord's Day
Carriages
Church Disturbance
What entities or persons were involved?
Board Of Selectmen Of Boston
Where did it happen?
Boston
Story Details
Key Persons
Board Of Selectmen Of Boston
Location
Boston
Event Date
1757
Story Details
The board of selectmen of Boston passed an ordinance in 1757 limiting the speed of carriages on Lord's days to a foot pace to avoid danger and disturbance to churchgoers, with a penalty of ten shillings to the master of any slave or servant violating it.