On this day – car crash 1900s style

On this day (July 25) in 1906 two cars collided near Horsham and although a great deal of damage was done, thankfully there were no casualties.

Looking back from the 21st Century, it’s interesting to see how the increase in car ownership caused a headache for local councils as the growing ownership of motor vehicles created new problems.

As the photo from the time shows, the lack of serious injury was surprising considering the lack of seat-belts and other safety measures back then and the fact that one vehicle ended up on its side!

The incident happened at the Clemsfold crossing at the bottom of Rowhook Hill on a Saturday lunchtime.

Back then high hedges obstructed the view of vehicles approaching the crossing. The two cars were an Argyle (or Argyll) and a (French produced) Panhard.

Mr James Henry Atkins, of Streatham, was travelling from London to Bognor in the Arglye, along with a chauffeur, two ladies and two children. The Panhard was owned by Mr J. Duveen, of Oakwood Grange, but only contained his chauffeur, travelling from Ewhurst to Horsham.

The Argyle caught the near hind side of the Panhard with “terrific force” (as the newspaper report stated) and the latter vehicle crashed into a pillar box and finger-post, turning a complete somersault into a ditch. The chauffeur only slightly hurt his leg.

At a local Horsham council meeting after the event, the Surveyor, Mr W. Dengate, reported that the guide-post had been replaced at a cost of 30 shillings.

Both car owners had blamed each other and litigation was proceeding.

It was reported that years ago the waste land at this corner was enclosed and hedges planted. Triangular motor danger signs now stood at all the roads.

Several accidents had occurred in the Horsham area during the past month at corners and crossroads and existing highways acts didn’t give councils power to have hedges or trees cut low at dangerous corners.

Council Chairman Mr Morris said the triangular danger signals were on both roads but it only showed the futility of having these things at all. As the newspaper reported him saying: “They did not take a bit of notice, and as for cutting the hedges down he would not cut one down. If they did it would only increase the pace of the motorists.”