Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Wednesday, September 5, 2018
(BEDFORD) - The Lawrence County Commissioners, Highway Superintendent David Holmes and Sheriff Mike Branham discussed researching ordinances established in surrounding counties to address the issue of Amish buggies on county roads.
During the commissioner's meeting Tuesday, Holmes brought it to the commissioner's attention that several Amish families have moved into Lawrence County.
"We are seeing increase buggy traffic on Tunnelton, Vinegar Hill and Pinhook roads and the Lawrenceport area," Holmes says. "We have placed signs along these roads warning motorists of the increased buggy traffic. We don't want anyone hurt because motorists are not paying attention."
Some of those signs have already been stolen.
"We are replacing them, as we can," Holmes says.
Sheriff Branham has requested copies of ordinances from Northern Indiana counties that have a large Amish population and Commissioner Dustin Gabhart has requested ordinances from Daviess and other Southern counties.
Sheriff Branham would like to see an ordinance established requiring buggies to have proper lighting and slow-moving vehicle signs as a safety precaution.
Officials also have concerns about the horse's steel shoes and iron buggy wheels causing damage to county roadways.
"I know Daviess County has had to address this issue," says Commissioner Gabhart.
Daviess County Highway Supervisor Phil Cornelius says the steel horseshoes on horses pulling Amish buggies are damaging the roads almost as soon as the asphalt goes down.
Daviess County Councilman Mike Sprinkle says the county spent $1.2 million last fall to pave roads that are now damaged.
One way they addressed the issue was to require the Amish to plate their buggies. The plate cost $60 with money going to road repairs and upkeep.
The Amish families in Daviess County were also willing to experiment with rubber shoes, although county officials did not think that would be a solution to the problem.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.