Claude Johnson

“ The traffic legislation at the time forbade self-propelled vehicles to travel faster than four miles an hour, and a man carrying a red flag had to precede them on highways. On procuring his car Rolls set out from Victoria station, London, for Cambridge, and was stopped by a policeman owing to the absence of a red flag. He made the journey to Cambridge in 11 3⁄4 hours — travelling at 4 1⁄2 miles an hour. In Aug. 1896 the Locomotives on Highways Act freed motor traffic of some of its restrictions. ”

“ Acquiring a Wright aeroplane for use in England, he was soon an expert aviator. In June 1910 he made a great reputation by a cross-Channel flight in a Wright aeroplane. He left Dover at 6.30 on the evening of 2 June, and arrived at Calais at 7 o'clock ”

“ The maximum speed, which was then limited to twelve miles an hour, was raised to twenty by a new Act of 1903. Rolls was prominent among the EngUshmen whose sedulous experiments in driving brought motor cars into general use in Great Britain. ”