While I’m not a big fan of driving, I’d much rather be behind the map than the wheel, and it is not the most eco-friendly mode of transport by a long shot, sometimes travelling by car really is the best way to explore a new destination, giving you the flexibility to go where public transport won’t take you.
The History of the Automobile Association
Since learning to drive, many, many years ago, I’ve been a member of the AA, the Automobile Association. They formed way back in 1905 when a group of motor enthusiasts got together in a restaurant in London’s West End to discuss, among other things, the harassment drivers were getting by the police overzealously enforcing the speed limit.
Originally the AA patrols only covered Brighton to Portsmouth and I was surprised to find out that they initially rode bicycles. Mind you, a bicycle was actually faster than the first cars. The first speed limit was a mere 4 miles an hour and they had to be preceded by a footman carrying a red flag. By 1903 this was raised to 20 miles an hour.
The original AA petrol man’s job was to alert drivers that they were exceeding the legal speed limit and warn them of where the police speed traps were as well as to assist members who happened to breakdown. By 1912 there were some 920 cyclist patrols covering the whole country.
By the twenties, the AA roadside telephone box started to become a familiar sight.
I’ve always had a love of old cars. My current car, a black Merc, is twenty. She’s a great car but over the years I’ve had a few less reliable ones and I’ve needed to call on the AA quite a few times, when I’ve broken down in the middle of nowhere, got stuck in a flood (oh the shame!) or simply my car wouldn’t start in the morning. They’ve always come to my aid in good time (apart from the flood incident as apparently there were quite a few of us to get to that day).
Now of course pretty much everyone has a mobile phone so the roadside boxes are no more but I clearly remember the bright yellow phone boxes by the side of the motorways here in the UK when I was little.
The history of the Automobile Association reflects the history of cars in England.
Driving Abroad
While I don’t much like driving in the UK, as you can imagine I like it even less on the wrong side of the road. Why is it we have to be different from the rest of Europe? On the rare occasion when I have driven overseas, however, I’ve always taken out AA cover for driving aboard. They also do travel insurance, which I never go without. It’s just not worth the risk.
I’m planning a holiday with my Mum and sister in the south of England this summer. Mum wants to stay in a historic hotel. My sister wants to go somewhere with plenty to do and I want to go somewhere that’s an easy drive from West Sussex, where I can forget about the car once I get there. So how to keep us all happy? Any suggestions?
This post was brought to you in association with the AA. Photography courtesy of AA.
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We drive down to The French Alps every year to go skiing and would never dream of going without extra overseas insurance. I’m going to suggest Rye in East Sussex which is a gorgeous little town – you could also pop in for a cuppa on the way through!
How about the Isle of Wight. Relatively accessible from Sussex and has a good bus service. Roads are reasonably quiet so cycling is an option… lots of history there and plenty to see and do.
I had thought about the Isle of Wight. I’d like to get to know it better and I bet there are some lovely hotels there. About the cycling though, I have no idea if my now 82 year old mother can even ride a bike. Think we might be better off on the buses.
London maybe… no car needed, historic locations and plenty to do! Or one of the Pig hotels – they move you between them themselves! I hate a long haul flight with work only to have to find and drive a hire car… Woe betide any secretary that doesn’t book me an automatic!
I go to London all the time so that would never do! Thinking something a little more rustic. A historic hotel in the country or small town was more what we had in mind. A great suggest for a break without a car at all though. (I haven’t driven a manual car for years – I wouldn’t know what to do with a gear stick.)
Love those old photographs, they are fantastic. I’ve only taken a road trip once through Croatia because public transport was not convenient. I’m more comfortable with the amazing transport system throughout Europe.
Lovely post, Kat – Fond memories of the AA boxes around the UK.
Re: Your trip – How about Bath……. or Bristol?
Love Bath and Bristol. Know them both fairly well but haven’t been for a long time, especially Bristol, where I went to uni. Good suggestions but both considerably further than I was thinking.
How about Hastings? I’ve heard it’s nice!
I’ve been to Hastings once very briefly and loved the old part of it. Will add that to the list! Thanks
What an interesting history and wonderful photos. I do not overly like driving myself, though would be more comfortable in the UK because like Australia, you drive on the correct side of the road – left. Can’t help you with the suggestions for your family trip but hope you have a great time.
Thanks Paula.
Hi, Kat!
There are still one or two AA boxes around, preserved as Listed Buildings … see my https://travelrat.wordpress.com/2014/01/20/a-listed-building-with-a-difference/
You’re right about the original purpose of the AA … but, it was actually illegal to warn motorists about speed traps. So, AA Scouts were supposed to salute whenever they saw an AA badge IF THE ROAD AHEAD WAS CLEAR. If he didn’t salute, the motorist was advised to ‘stop and enquire why he hadn’t saluted’ ….
That is good to know Keith and now you come to mention it I can vaguely remember something about the soluting. .Most have been a great incentive to join.