SAFE DRIVING TIP FOR LOCAL CONDITIONS

When driving in this area it is very important to be aware that you will likely encounter horse drawn buggies or carriages on the roadways. These vehicles move more slowly than motorized vehicles and for this reason they are usually marked by a reflective orange triangle as a warning to other vehicle operators. At times, the horses can be unpredictable and cause the buggy or carriage to move in an unexpected fashion. It is therefore very important to allow adequate spacing between your vehicle and the buggy or carriage so that if the horse would make a sudden unexpected movement you will be able to avoid them. Also, when passing a horse drawn buggy or carriage extreme caution must be used in order to be certain that you have visibility to see far enough ahead in order to avoid conflicts with on coming traffic. Passing buggies or carriages on corners or slopes where it is difficult or impossible to see ahead is extremely dangerous and illegal. Buggies and carriages can also be difficult to see at night, dawn and dusk even when they are marked.

Typically from late October through early December of each year, the Amish community in the area will hold their weddings. These weddings are typically held on Tuesdays and Thursdays of each week. These wedding celebrations will draw many guests to the area that will arrive and depart using horse drawn buggies and carriages. As a result, you may encounter a long line of buggies and carriages traveling on certain of our roads during these times. Vehicle operators should be careful and patient when sharing the road with buggies and carriages.

If you are interested in more information regarding safety when driving in an area where buggies and carriages will be found please visit the link below to view a video prepared by the Ohio Department of Public Safety on this topic.

Safe Driving Tip For Local Conditions Video