At the beginning of the 20th century, Bucharest was a city in full transformation, caught between tradition and modernity. In 1901, the streets of the capital were filled with carriages, bicycles, and pedestrians, while automobiles were still a rarity. Only a few wealthy landowners and diplomats could afford the luxury of owning a car, usually imported from France or Germany. There were no traffic lights, road signs, or traffic police, and the streets were shared chaotically between old and new means of transport.

It was in this context that the first officially recorded car accident in Romania occurred—an event that would mark the beginning of the country’s road traffic history.

The first car accident in Romania, on Calea Moșilor

On September 5, 1901, on Calea Moșilor in Bucharest, Dr. Dimitrie Vintilă was driving a French-made automobile, a Panhard & Levassor. While heading toward Piața Obor, his car collided with a horse-drawn carriage coming from a side street.

Although the impact was minor, it was enough to cause panic among bystanders. The horses were frightened, the carriage overturned, and the passengers suffered minor injuries. The event was widely reported in the newspapers of the time – Universul and Epoca – which described it as a “curiosity of the modern age.” One article even featured a now-famous warning:

“These devil’s machines must be stopped before they bring misfortune.”

Even though Dr. Vintilă’s car did not exceed 20 km/h, he was fined for “reckless driving.” This became the first traffic fine in Romania, a symbolic gesture in an era when the concept of speed was still new and misunderstood.

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A minor incident with major consequences

The 1901 accident did not result in serious injuries, but it sparked a public debate about the safety of motor vehicles. Authorities began to realize the need for clear traffic regulations in a city undergoing rapid modernization.

The first license plates and driving rules

Only a few years later, in 1907, Bucharest introduced its first license plates and mandatory driving permits. The first official traffic rules were also established, including speed limits and right-of-way regulations.

The very first Romanian license plate, “1B,” belonged to engineer George Valentin Bibescu, regarded as the pioneer of Romanian automobilism. He also founded the country’s first automobile club, the Automobil Clubul Român (ACR), playing a decisive role in shaping a culture of responsible driving.

From “devil’s machines” to a culture of responsibility

Dr. Vintilă’s case marks not only the beginning of automobilism in Romania but also the first public reflection on the risks and responsibilities brought by technology. At a time when cars were viewed with both fear and fascination, the incident on Calea Moșilor served as a warning that modernity comes hand in hand with rules and consequences.

From a simple traffic mishap, an entire history was born — the history of road safety in Romania. More than a century later, Bucharest, the site of the country’s first car accident, continues to tell the story of transportation’s evolution — from the first Panhard & Levassor to today’s electric and autonomous vehicles.