Does Elkhart County Need New Horse and Buggy Laws to Prevent Future Accidents?

On Labor Day, a group of Amish children between the ages of four and ten were riding in two horse-drawn carts in Elkhart County when they were struck by an oncoming SUV on a country road. Two children died in the Indiana cart accident while four more suffered serious injuries.

Now, in the wake of the deadly accident, many Indiana officials are wondering whether the state needs to reform the current Indiana horse and buggy laws or make new ones in order to prevent accidents from happening in the future.

According to a local news station, 12th District Senator Carlin Yoder, a Republican, said that lawmakers should be careful not to act too quickly after the accident. He believes that it is important to "keep in mind that the Amish have a distinct way of life." He also stated that keeping the Amish safe on the roads is an important priority.

Another Republican, Senator Wes Culver of the 49th District, thinks that perhaps requiring a skills test for buggy riders or an age limit for non-farm-equipment drivers might be appropriate for accident prevention, though he wishes to talk with other representatives from areas with Amish populations.

Steve Nolt, an academic who has been involved in the Elkhart County Amish population for over a decade, stresses that non-Amish people may not understand their way of life - especially when it comes to young children driving carts. He compared the children on the cart to other kids riding bikes, scooters, or even mopeds. He adds that Indiana law already states that horse-drawn buggies have the same rights and responsibilities as other vehicles on the road and that drivers can't assume that children on bikes and other vehicles will follow the rules of the road.

What is Nolt's recommendation? He recommends that all drivers become more educated about horse and buggy issues and that Amish schools consider teaching buggy safety at an earlier age. Currently, buggy safety is not taught until children are in their teens.

Have you been harmed in an accident involving a horse, cart, or buggy in Indiana? Speak with an Indianapolis injury attorney today about your case.

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