Can you pass a horse and buggy while driving in Pennsylvania? Here’s what the law says
Though it’s uncommon to see many carriages on the roads these days, you might be more likely to get stuck behind a horse and buggy in Pennsylvania than in any other state. That chance is higher in the Keystone State due to its large concentration of Amish communities, members of which are generally known to travel by horse and buggy.
Run-ins with cars remain relatively uncommon, but the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation still observed 410 buggy crashes with injuries and 10 fatal crashes between 2000 and 2019, according to online records. Recently, a crash with a minivan in Centre County left buggy riders with “major injuries.”
If you need a refresher on the laws regarding stopping for and passing horse and buggy drivers on public roadways, here’s a primer with information from PennDOT.
Can you pass a slow-moving horse and buggy in Pennsylvania?
In short, yes. However, drivers must take caution when passing slow-moving buggies on Pennsylvania’s roadways, PennDOT warns.
Pennsylvania law requires slow-moving vehicles, or those moving below 25 miles per hour, to pull off of the road at the “first and safest opportunity” to let faster traffic pass, PennDOT writes. Though it’s not required by law, those driving a horse and buggy are generally encouraged to ride on the shoulder of the road or as far to the right as possible.
Drivers hoping to pass a horse and buggy, meanwhile, must watch for hazards and check pavement markers and road signs to make sure passing is legal on any given road.
While following a horse and buggy on the road, drivers should make sure to leave ample space. They move at slow speeds, meaning it might take mere seconds to overtake a buggy if there’s no cushion between vehicles.
“Often, drivers of horse-drawn vehicles may not be able to see you behind them,” PennDOT writes. “Following too closely is especially dangerous, as it puts yourself as well as the occupants of the horse-drawn vehicle in a difficult situation.”
Staying safe while driving past a horse and buggy
Though passing a horse and buggy may not always be too complicated, drivers should take precautions to make sure they stay safe.
Here are a few tips from PennDOT to keep in mind if you wind up near a horse and buggy on the road:
- Never blow your horn near a horse. They are easily spooked and often unpredictable, PennDOT writes. Slow down when approaching a horse and allow plenty of room to pass.
- When approaching a horse-drawn buggy in an oncoming lane, dim your headlights and watch for any vehicles that might attempt to pass the buggy.
- Provide ample space behind a horse and buggy if you are stopped behind one at a stop sign or a red light. Buggies often roll back a few feet after coming to a complete stop. You can check your distance by making sure you can see the buggy’s rear wheels touch the road.
- Stay alert at night. Most buggies are illuminated in one way or another, but horses might be tough to see once the sun sets.
This story was originally published July 11, 2023 at 12:28 PM.
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