Fascinating Facts about Driving – Motoring Trivia from Queens Park Garage

During the lock down period of 2020, many of us have been taking part in online quizzes with our friends, family and colleagues as a way to keep in touch – where we would normally, most likely, be going to the pub!

This inspired us to put together our very own list of trivia, highlighting some fascinating driving facts that will blow your mind and may be useful if you too, have been tasked with compiling the next family quiz night…

1. Did you know the world’s first speeding ticket was issued for a driver travelling at 8mph?

Walter Arnold was fined in 1896 for speeding through the streets of Paddock Wood in Kent at a mighty 8mph which four times the allowed speed limit back then, of just 2mph! Cars were so rare back then that they usually had to have someone walk in front of them waving a red flag to warn pedestrians. Arnold was chased by police on bicycles for 5 miles before they finally caught up with him and asked him to pay a shilling.


2. Robbie Williams can’t drive.

The famous singer has never taken lessons or a test! Though you could say that he doesn’t really need to with a net worth of around £149million.


3. Technically, it is illegal to pay for your fast food at a drive through…

The law states that using your phone whilst your engine is switched on is strictly forbidden so everytime you pay at the drive through you could be breaking the law!


4. A cheetah can run at higher speeds than we travel on a motorway!

To ‘overtake’ a cheetah, you would have to drive at over 70mph – WOW!


5. The average UK driver travels around 8,000 miles per year.

That’s the same distance as travelling from the UK to Australia!


6. You can land a £5000 fine for splashing a pedestrian when you drive past them and hit a puddle.

The Road Traffic Act of 1988 states that splashing someone in this way counts as ‘driving without reasonable consideration for other persons’. You can get 3 points on your licence, and a fine from £100 up to £5000 depending on how serious the police deem the incident.


7. We spend around an average of 5 months of our lives – waiting at traffic lights.

Imagine what you could do with that time if you could get it back?!


8. The average person spends around £206,000 in their lifetime.

This is based on buying the cars at average industry prices and the cost to run and maintain them. Of course many may spend more or less, but over time the costs certainly rack up! We think it is all worth it though for the love of motoring and having your independence!


9. Ralph Teetor, who invented cruise control, was actually blind.

It is said that he was inspired to create something that would allow the vehicle to travel at a constant speed, because he was annoyed with his chauffeur’s ‘jerky’ driving style. It was first implemented by Chrysler in 1958 and called ‘Speedostat’ and was renamed later on to ‘cruise control’. It is now widely used by car manufacturers years later.


10. A Ford GT’s roof is so strong, it broke the testing machine.

Car manufacturers sometimes test for roof strength using a crushing machine and when they tested this vehicle, the machine is said to have busted under the pressure – not the car! Amazing!


11. The first car radio was invented in 1930

The first car radio was invented in 1930 by Paul and Joseph Galvin with the help of William Lear and called the ‘Motorola’ – an adaption of the term ‘motorized Victrola’.


As a team, we find the history of motoring fascinating and an essential part of us being able to do our jobs. We pride ourselves on being knowledgeable about all types of vehicles and utilizing the digital software that allows us to examine any part of thousands of vehicles, no matter what challenges our customers present us with.

If you need help with your vehicle maintenance or even want to check up on the rules around maintaining and servicing your vehicle, please contact our friendly team who are always happy to help – call us on 01202 216104 or contact us using our online contact form. You can also visit our blog for helpful advice on a range of car maintenance issues.

We hope you enjoyed our car trivia and have fun quizzing your friends, family and work colleagues about the history of motoring!

Relax whilst we work on your car

You can leave your car with us or wait in our comfortable reception with free wi-fi, free refreshments as well as viewing panel and CCTV so you can watch us while we work on your car.

Please see our Visitors page for safety guidance.

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