When it's buggy vs truck or SUV...

[ironglow]

  The buggy usually places second..

  Photo shows crash of a friend Peter,  who we have had build some buildings for us...  His wife and daughter were struck by a pickup truck.
  It was pretty rough for a  while. Our church helped them financially..

    Next a nearby Amish family had 4 children injured.  Sadly, most of these accidents happen at night.  flat black buggies, and most refuse SMV signs..compounds the problems.

[Bob Riebe]

Black buggies at night with no reflector -- Stairway to heaven.

[Graybeard]

Life is tough, even more so when you are stupid.

[Ranger99]

Been riding motorcycles all my life, and 3 wheelers
and 4 wheelers after the gubmint did away with 3
wheelers,. Rode up dangerous inclines and down
perilous hillsides, and shared roads with inattentive
pinheads talking on their cellphones or texting.
People drunk or high or just plain stupid.

You have to be aware of your surroundings every
day driving or riding or walking or running or
sitting on a park bench or in a chair at the pharmacy.

I've seen many a potential organ donor speeding
down the highway on a motorcycle with no shirt
or jacket wearing shorts and no eye protection or
gloves or helmet, and some that were barefoot.

Lots of people that go through life in a perpetual
state of oblivion regardless of the circumstances

[GTS225]

One would think, after these two disasters, the Amish community would surely see the wisdom of a SMV sign on the back, if only at night.
And with the advent of battery-powered LED lanterns, it seems to be a no-brainer.  A red one, designed like an old-time kerosene lantern, surely wouldn't be out of place.

But then, I'm just an "English".....Roger

[ironglow]

"
I've seen many a potential organ donor speeding
down the highway on a motorcycle with no shirt
or jacket wearing shorts and no eye protection or
gloves or helmet, and some that were barefoot.

Lots of people that go through life in a perpetual
state of oblivion regardless of the circumstances"

   ..And we read about them in the newspapers..

   With the Amish..it is their beliefs. My friend Bill lives among and is friends of the particular community near Farmersville (#2 photoi).  He has tried to talk to
    them about reflectors, but they won'r even use white reflector tape, say nothing about the SMV sign, such as I put on my garden tractor trailer when I am on the shoulder of the road.

  They differ greatly between "communities" since the elders set the rules. Th eAmish near me, will use some reflective signs..while still others will use a kerosene lantern..sometimes with a red chimney.

[Casull]

The ones around here are lit up pretty well.

[ironglow]

The ones around here are lit up pretty well.

  Yes, there is little accounting for the differences...some even are allowed to use computers. I have been with my son, doing photo shoots of Air B&B
   rentals owned by Amish folks, about 50 miles south of us in Pennsylvania.

  Again, the local honchos make the rules.

[Ranger99]

Lehman's used to sell a buggy lantern specifically
for Amish buggies for the back of it so as to
avoid rear end collisions with motorized vehicles.
There's ways to get there without compromising
the integrity of their beliefs.
If they don't/won't rig something to help avoid
collisions, that's on them and not government
interference with their religious freedom

[Dee]

MUTUAL RESPECT

I wager that 3/4 of the vehicle/buggy collisions happens between locals. I've driven many miles in Amish country with a 53 foot trailer in tow. Never even got close to hitting a buggy.

WHY IS THAT?

Because I knew they could be out there, because there were signs warning of such, and it wasn't in me to take a chance on hittin one. I ADJUSTED MY DRIVING TO COMPENSATE FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF COMING UP ON ONE, AND PAID CLOSER ATTENTION.

I DO THE SAME IN COW, HORSE, AND DEER COUNTRY.  THEY TOO, REFUSE TO WEAR REFLECTIVE EQUIPMENT.

[ironglow]

MUTUAL RESPECT

I wager that 3/4 of the vehicle/buggy collisions happens between locals. I've driven many miles in Amish country with a 53 foot trailer in tow. Never even got close to hitting a buggy.

WHY IS THAT?

Because I knew they could be out there, because there were signs warning of such, and it wasn't in me to take a chance on hittin one. I ADJUSTED MY DRIVING TO COMPENSATE FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF COMING UP ON ONE, AND PAID CLOSER ATTENTION.

I DO THE SAME IN COW,

   No doubt you are correct Dee, since most seem to happen on rural roads, rather than on through highways. There would be no reason why very
      many non-locals would be using those roads.  In fact, most would be relatively unknown to through travellers.

     When in Amish country , one should be aware and awake...and as you said."adjust their driving"..

       Still, if the Amish are  so firm in their reluctance to use at least reflective signs or tape, as many in my atrreea are, I am surprised that more
       are not hit.

     It is amazing to see how quickly one can come upon them at night, driving a flat black rig, dark if not black horses and etc. 

      One trick I learned, driving in Germany back in the 1960's..there was much animal power used on farms then, often a cow and horse in
      a   team.a  I learned to favor toward the nd most roads non-Autobahnwere       


        I was forced to favor toward the center of the road while driving at  night, since there would be much pedestrians and animal traffic, even in
     hours of darkness.  But sticking toward the center of the road, if one suddenly comes upon a situation, a sudden lane change of just a couple feet
     toward the left, is far easier to negotiate than a 5 or 6 foot swerve..

[Casull]

MUTUAL RESPECT

I wager that 3/4 of the vehicle/buggy collisions happens between locals. I've driven many miles in Amish country with a 53 foot trailer in tow. Never even got close to hitting a buggy.

WHY IS THAT?

Because I knew they could be out there, because there were signs warning of such, and it wasn't in me to take a chance on hittin one. I ADJUSTED MY DRIVING TO COMPENSATE FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF COMING UP ON ONE, AND PAID CLOSER ATTENTION.

I DO THE SAME IN COW, HORSE, AND DEER COUNTRY.  THEY TOO, REFUSE TO WEAR REFLECTIVE EQUIPMENT.

Dee, what kind of trailer are you pulling that is 53 feet?

[Dixie-Dude]

Alabama's statistics show most of the fatal accidents occur on Friday or Saturday nights, usually late night or early morning, and most involve teenagers.  Most during the day are fender benders.  Some are truck drivers falling asleep at the wheel.  The Alabama statistics also show 90% of the fatal accidents involve DUI's.  Alabama takes blood tests of all drivers in a fatal accident ASAP after they arrive on the scene.  They do not check for drugs yet. 

[Dee]

MUTUAL RESPECT

I wager that 3/4 of the vehicle/buggy collisions happens between locals. I've driven many miles in Amish country with a 53 foot trailer in tow. Never even got close to hitting a buggy.

WHY IS THAT?

Because I knew they could be out there, because there were signs warning of such, and it wasn't in me to take a chance on hittin one. I ADJUSTED MY DRIVING TO COMPENSATE FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF COMING UP ON ONE, AND PAID CLOSER ATTENTION.

I DO THE SAME IN COW, HORSE, AND DEER COUNTRY.  THEY TOO, REFUSE TO WEAR REFLECTIVE EQUIPMENT.

Dee, what kind of trailer are you pulling that is 53 feet?

I used to own a trucking company and many years ago, companies switched from 48 foot trailers to 53 footers.

[Casull]

Ok.  I thought you were pulling with a pick up.  I was going to say that is one crazy travel trailer.

[ironglow]

Watch out for those recreational fifth wheelers...many states only require an operator's license to drive that combo, so many are ill prepared.

[gypsyman]

 While I respect the Amish for their beliefs, hard to have compassion for stupidity! Here in Ohio, all the buggy's I've seen have reflectors and some have battery operated red lights on the back. But to be out after dark, sorry, your on your own with that!

[Ranger99]

If they're utilizing a public taxpayer paid for
road, they need to have reflectors at the very
least. I pay a road and bridge fee for every
license tag that I have.  Trailers, motorized
vehicles that are DOT, anything that rides
on a public road. Any tractor or vehicle
using the road here is required  to have
reflectors or a slow moving vehicle sign
or both depending. Not sure, but I'm guessing
that their buggies aren't registered or tagged
with plates, but they're utilizing the same
roads that people have paid in on with their
registrations and license fees

[Dee]

If they're utilizing a public taxpayer paid for
road, they need to have reflectors at the very
least. I pay a road and bridge fee for every
license tag that I have.  Trailers, motorized
vehicles that are DOT, anything that rides
on a public road. Any tractor or vehicle
using the road here is required  to have
reflectors or a slow moving vehicle sign
or both depending. Not sure, but I'm guessing
that their buggies aren't registered or tagged
with plates, but they're utilizing the same
roads that people have paid in on with their
registrations and license fees

They're pretty much anti government I think. No military, or public service of any sort.

[ironglow]

  "They're pretty much anti government I think. No military, or public service of any sort."

   Isn't that true of many people deeply involved in their church? ..So their "church life" dominates all they do, If we start kicking their butts for their
 beliefs..the chickens could come home to roost.

    ...And it appears here, that many are becoming "anti-government..doesn't it ?    .. I haven't heard profess anti government feelings, but
   it seems a "don't participate" notion seems closer to the truth.

   So far as public service, they pay taxes just like everyone else.  Military service?  I think you well know, it is no big secret that less than 1% of
   eligible Americans join our military!

   ..And with today's "all volunteer" forces, since less that 0.1% of Americans are Amish, their lack of participation seems no great loss.

  Don't get me wrong, I'm not defending their lack or safety items.   .. . But when they do get hit on the road, they just seem to "take their
   lumps"..they don't jump up and sue anybody, even though some daylight accidents could be attributed to reckless or DUI drivers.

[DDZ]

I know the Mennonites and Amish around here are very respectful people, and very hard workers.  Not long ago I hired a Business to put up a post frame garage for me. the crew that did it was a crew leader and 3 Amish guys. Unbelievable how hard they worked, and how good they were. They did an awesome job for me. I also had them pour a concrete floor for me, which turned out great.  Its hard to find that kind of work ethic anymore.   

[Dee]

I to have seen their work.Just don't expect them to pay any price for their freedoms, or Constitutional rights. They aren't real Americans in that regard.

[Ranger99]

Need to at least comply with having the appropriate
warning devices at the rear if they're utilizing government
roads to travel. Using a government road built with
taxpayer funds isn't some kind of non conformist
something. It's hypocritical and contradictory to say
they're distancing themselves from the rest of the
world, then utilizing things from the " outside " such
as public roads and other infrastructure and products
not completely built from scratch at home

[ironglow]

  Dopn't get me wrong, I am not an Amishophile..and of course, i don't agree with many things they do.  Somehow however, the"autjorities" are
  quite soft on them. 
  For example, if I were to start a bakery business, I better get an inspection and approval from the county health department., before I put a single
   cookie out for sale.  .. Yet the Amish sell such pies, cakes etc. at the roadside, uninspected, and without hindrance.

  In Lancaster county PA..the vuggies on the road have a canvas "poop catcher" on each buggy, but so far nobody has said anything.

 Now, hores manure buy smell isn't too bad in a very rural area, but can be a bother inn town.  Moreover, ask any bike rider how mush they would like
   to hit a patch of horse poop, while rounding a curve or taking the paved shoulder for any reason.

  No, not all is "just peachy" with an Amish community interspliced locally, and I am sure there are some things we do, that they don't like..

   ...But one could have worse neighbors..