Amish & Traffic Laws

[Lena75]

I live pretty much smack dab in the middle of an Amish community so I see alot of Amish uh..."driving skills". This week, every morning before 8am I see this one younger guy driving on his way to work in his 2-seated cart (I think they're called?) To drive this thing he's positioned with both legs straight out and I can't even begin to imagine what kind of leg and back pain he must suffer! :o

Anyway...every morning he does the same thing. He runs the stop sign while making a left-hand turn. He doesn't look for traffic, he doesn't stop his horse, he just (whoosh!) off he goes. Now I know that it doesn't take much for a vehicle to come speeding along and totally knock someone off the road when they choose not to obey the law by not stopping at the stop sign.

My question is...should I report this to the local police? I see this all the time with many Amish. Even the other morning I saw a guy driving a sleigh taking a "shortcut" across my neighbour's yard. Aren't the Amish expected to obey the traffic laws as well as anyone else?

Advice? Opinions?

 

[Lena75]

Wow, I realize these forums are slow, but 47 views after 3 hours and no advice?

 

[Maid Marie]

I live near Amish country and have driven in Lancaster, PA many times especially at night feeling like I was just about to hit one of them or their horses. I think for their own protection a reminder from the police about how to drive couldn't hurt.

 

[R.A.IN]

I would talk with the police about it. They may be able to do something about the situation.

 

[MrJim]

I cross Amish folk in our county and over in Lancaster County but it's not on a daily basis~~I would agree with R.A.IN ~I'm sure the bishop want to know their youngsters are endangering themselves and others.

 

[cajunhillbilly]

I would say the traffic laws apply to anyone on the roads in whatever kind of "vehicle". I know for a fact that bicyclists need to obey the stop signs etc. If they do then surely some on in a horse and buggy does too.

 

[greg r]

I don't know about Canada, but according to Pennsylvania's PennDOT(Dept of Transportation), any person on the road be it on an animal, in an animal drawn vehicle or motor vehicle must obey ALL posted signage and rules of the road. Check with your local Motor Vehicle or Transportation Department.

 

[Studeclunker]

Gregg is quite correct, the Amish are required to obey the traffic laws just like motor vehicle drivers throughout the United States and Canada. I don't know however, that approaching this young man through the police will help much. Unless of course one can get the police to ticket him, or better, haul him off to jail. The latter would likely be more effective. The Bishop would hear about it and our subject reprobate might get a stern talking to. Possibly even correction from the elders.

As to the jerk driving across your neighbours lawn, that's what fences were invented for, Jerks. If you could get the local Bishop to speak with you (it would help considerably if you're Mennonite), he might be willing to speak to his congregation.

Now, in defense of our young reprobate; you must keep in mind that a horse walks at the same speed you do. If he slows to a walk for, oh say, twenty-five feet or so before the intersection, he has seen more than you do stopping in your car. His actions however are still inexcusable.

If it has two wheels, it's called a cart. If it has four wheels and one or two seats, it's called a buggy, Surrey, or the freight version; wagon (Amish pickup truck).

I respect and love the Amish. However, sometimes they can have an attitude that's... offensive.