{AMISH COMMUNIT Y NEWS} Vol. 6 No.1
Jan. 22, 2014
Be Safe on the Roads in Winter Be Safe This Winter … Amish Perspective By Katherine Byler . Buggy owners … check your blinking lights. Sometimes only one side is blinking and people think it is a turning signal. And, sometimes, one forgets to turn off the turning signal (including us)! . And after dark, we need LIGHTS … not just a headlight that just shines in someone’s eyes. Must say, buggies are generally well-lit from what we see … but, some people go away before dark, not realizing how fast it does get dark and may be caught with no lights being on. . Pony carts, wagons, etc … Flags and SMV emblems are needed at all times, especially with ponies . Walkers and Scooter Riders … walk off the road or watch carefully for cars coming and then step off the road. . Walk single file … I know that kids … or grown-ups … get to talking, they forget where they are and walk two or three abreast.
Be Safe This Winter … Yankee (AKA Englisch) Perspective By Jacquie Foote Ah, the winter roads of Geauga … scenic, hilly, gravely, often curvy, sometimes narrow, snowy or ice covered.! Watch out for “walkers” … yes, children know to walk single file, facing traffic and off the road when possible. BUT children are children and it is the motorist’s job to watch out for them and keep them safe from harm. (Remember … they may not be able to move onto the shoulder if it is piled with the snow cleared off the roads.) At night, walkers usually carry flashlights or wear headlamps both to light their way and to announce their presence. They may also wear reflective tape or vests. When you see a light bobbing along coming toward you, it could be a person walking along. . Scooters … often will travel with traffic and need to be able to stay on the road, as the shoulder is not safe for them in Geauga’s winter. Allow them their room. At night scooter riders like walkers may wear headlamps and reflective tape. . Buggies … drive with traffic, obey the same laws and have the same rights as motorists. A few roads, such as Tare Creek and Route 528 in Middlefield, have a special buggy lane between the right lane and the shoulder. These buggy lanes help keep buggies safe and traffic moving at speed. No matter the road, buggy drivers are not required to move to the shoulder. In fact, at certain times of the year (like winter) they cannot do so due to the shoulders being too soft or icy. Many Amish buggy drivers will try to pull to the side to allow you to pass. Remember, normal speeds for horse drawn buggies range from 5 to 8 mph, be patient and give them plenty of room when following or passing. Also remember a buggy may back up a few feet when stopped, especially at intersections with inclines. Leave some distance. . Passing buggies … only pass when legal and safe. NEVER pass a buggy near the top of a hill, oncoming traffic may be traveling up to 50 miles-per- hour, Slow down and savor the relaxed pace of Amish Country until you can see the road ahead of you. Remember, horses are live animals! Use of the car horn or reckless driving can spook them and endanger lives, . At night, keep headlights on low beam as you would when meeting any other vehicle. Most buggies are lit with lanterns in the front, and have the reflective orange slow moving vehicle signs on the rear. Many have reflective tape and sidelights to help identify their perimeters. The slow-moving vehicle sign means caution and slow down. Be sure to leave plenty of room when passing. . Pony carts . . . Pony pulled sleds and wagons … basically follow the same rules as for buggies. Middlefield Post is publishing every other week. Plain Country will be in every other issue of the Post and Plain Pages will be part of the Post on alternating issues. – Plain Pages will be part of the Post on Wed., Feb. 5.
Next issue Plain Country– Wed., Feb. 19 . Submission deadline– Wed., Feb 12. Advertising deadline– Fri. Feb 14. Please send the information to share to Plain Country, P.O. Box 626, Middlefield, OH 44062, or call 440-632-0782 or fax to 440-834-8933. Subscriptions are available for $48 per year.