How did it happen?

On September 10, 1897, 25-year-old taxi driver George Smith crashed his car into a building at 165 New Bond Street in London while drunk. At the time, the first breathalyzer was 56 years away. According to Jalopnik, Smith was immediately arrested for drunk driving.

The driver was one of 12 men selected to drive for Walter C. Bursey’s London Electric Taxi Company. He had been working on the city’s roads for only 22 days before the incident occurred.

Smith was arrested by Constable Russell and after pleading guilty He was fined 20 shillings. at the Marlborough Street Courthouse.

What is known about these machines

• Bersey electric taxis were only in operation from 1897 to 1899.
• Nicknamed “hummingbirds” for the unique buzz of their electric motor, they quickly gained popularity but were short-lived. The heavy weight of the battery-powered machines caused their tires to wear out quickly and the wooden wheels often broke.
• Their use was far from profitable; in the first year of operation alone, losses amounted to £6,200, which at that time was worth considerably more than the equivalent amount today.

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