Stage Coaches Act 1790
Encyclopedia
The Stage Coaches Act 1790 (30 Geo. 3 c. 36) was an Act of Parliament
of the Parliament of Great Britain
to regulate the use of stagecoach
es. The Act built upon the provisions of the Stage Coaches Act 1788
, reducing the permitted number of passengers, clarifying the type of vehicles to which it applied, and providing a simplified method for collecting the fines. It came into force from the 29 September 1790. It stipulated that no more than four people were permitted to ride upon the roof, and no more than one (other than the driver) upon the box, of any coach or carriage of three or more horses travelling for hire. Any coach or carriage of less than three horses traveling for hire had the limit set at one on the box and three on the roof, although four on the roof were permitted if the coach did not go more than 25 miles from the Post Office in London. If a coach exceeded these limits, the driver was to pay five shillings per each excess person to the collector of the tolls at each turnpike-gate through which they passed. Letting down or picking up people in order to evade the 5s penalty was punishable by imprisonment of the driver for fourteen days to one month. The Act also required that the name of the proprietor of each stagecoach (except mail coaches) be painted legibly on their side door. A coachman who allowed anyone else to drive his coach without the consent of the passengers, or who overturned the carriage or endangered the passengers or their property via misconduct, was to be fined between forty shillings and four pounds; and a guard who fired off his weapons whilst with the coach, other than in defence, was to be fined twenty shillings.
The Act was repealed by section 1 of the Act 50 Geo.3 c.48.
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
of the Parliament of Great Britain
Parliament of Great Britain
The Parliament of Great Britain was formed in 1707 following the ratification of the Acts of Union by both the Parliament of England and Parliament of Scotland...
to regulate the use of stagecoach
Stagecoach
A stagecoach is a type of covered wagon for passengers and goods, strongly sprung and drawn by four horses, usually four-in-hand. Widely used before the introduction of railway transport, it made regular trips between stages or stations, which were places of rest provided for stagecoach travelers...
es. The Act built upon the provisions of the Stage Coaches Act 1788
Stage Coaches Act 1788
The Stage Coaches Act 1788 was an Act of Parliament of the Parliament of Great Britain to regulate the use of stagecoaches. It came into force from the 1st November 1788. It stipulated that no more than six people were permitted to ride upon the roof, and no more than two upon the box, of any...
, reducing the permitted number of passengers, clarifying the type of vehicles to which it applied, and providing a simplified method for collecting the fines. It came into force from the 29 September 1790. It stipulated that no more than four people were permitted to ride upon the roof, and no more than one (other than the driver) upon the box, of any coach or carriage of three or more horses travelling for hire. Any coach or carriage of less than three horses traveling for hire had the limit set at one on the box and three on the roof, although four on the roof were permitted if the coach did not go more than 25 miles from the Post Office in London. If a coach exceeded these limits, the driver was to pay five shillings per each excess person to the collector of the tolls at each turnpike-gate through which they passed. Letting down or picking up people in order to evade the 5s penalty was punishable by imprisonment of the driver for fourteen days to one month. The Act also required that the name of the proprietor of each stagecoach (except mail coaches) be painted legibly on their side door. A coachman who allowed anyone else to drive his coach without the consent of the passengers, or who overturned the carriage or endangered the passengers or their property via misconduct, was to be fined between forty shillings and four pounds; and a guard who fired off his weapons whilst with the coach, other than in defence, was to be fined twenty shillings.
The Act was repealed by section 1 of the Act 50 Geo.3 c.48.