How to Share Maine Roads with an Amish Horse and Buggy

With horse-drawn wagons becoming part of several Maine communities, drivers need to use extra caution when they share the road.

Maine Collision Between a Horse-Drawn Wagon and a Vehicle in Aroostook County

Once again, a collision between a horse-drawn carriage and a vehicle sent the carriage operator to the hospital, luckily with non-life-threatening injuries. But the outcome could have been much worse.

READ MORE: Where Do You Keep Your Phone When You Drive Around Maine? 

My husband and I have encountered horse-drawn wagons several times, particularly in Aroostook County or in the Unity area, and understand that it can be a scary situation. Horses are not machines, they're unpredictable, and could react to your vehicle passing them. So you really need the space to pass at a reasonable speed.

Maine Horse-Drawn Wagon Operators are Vulnerable in a Crash

It's also important to pay attention to what you're doing, as you pass the horse. The Amish wagons can seem quaint, so it's easy to lose focus, looking at them as you fly by. But even a couple of seconds of distraction from your driving could end tragically.

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Horses can get spooked and buggies don't have airbags.

Maine Sheriff's Office Provides Tips for Sharing the Road with Horse-Drawn Vehicles

I found these suggestions on the Facebook page for the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office several years ago, and I always remember them when a horse-drawn carriage appears before me on the road.

Keep them in mind when you find yourself on the road with one of these vehicles, slow down, don't speed past the horse, and everyone gets to go home safely. Ignore them, and it could be a tragic day for everyone.