Driving a motor vehicle is a privilege in which care must always be taken. That idea is magnified in certain areas and especially so in Amish country where local traffic is unconventionally slow.
Rural roads are not the same as city streets. Sometimes they feature sharp turns or ditches. If there are a lot of trees, your line of vision could be obstructed if there is a bend in the road.
Look for red triangular signs that signal slow-moving vehicles. They can be helpful when driving on dark country roads at night, which will be soon when clocks turn back by an hour and darkness comes earlier.
Speed limit signs provide good guidelines in most areas, but in Amish country it’s best to drive significantly slower because horse-drawn carriages will not be traveling anywhere near the posted speeds.
It might be noticeable when encountering another driver on a city street going 30 miles per hour in a 35-mph zone. But in Amish country, the local traffic is often traveling at 5-to-10 mph. That is a drastic difference from a slow driver on a city street, and it's almost impossible to get used to.
It’s also important to remember to leave plenty of space when trailing a horse and buggy. They have a tendency to back up several feet when they stop. Amish drivers also do not have the benefit of rearview mirrors, so they may not know another vehicle is behind them.
Buggies will drive as close to the right side of the road as they can, but that should not be an invitation to pass them in the middle of the road. Passing should always be done only in perfect circumstances. Never pass a buggy when approaching the top of a hill or in other situations where it’s difficult to know if traffic is coming from the other direction.
Driving on the same road where there will be horses requires more attention too.
A driver should never blow their horn near horses because the animals can be unpredictable and easily spooked. While buggies may have lights for easier visibility at night, the horses often do not. It’s necessary to be aware that the horses will be more difficult to see.
Today’s world is dominated by technology, and society moves at a fast pace. But it’s important to remember that not everywhere in our world is that way, and that includes Amish country.
So when driving in Amish country; sit back, relax and enjoy a slower pace. It can be nice to disconnect for a bit, and being careful on the roads will always save lives.
