Amish Horse Buggies are Vulnerable Road Users Too

[XLFD]

This group is associated with Bicycle, United with Motorcycle and Pedestrian Safety (hence the acronym BUMPS), but the concern must also be with fellow users of the streets and roads that are at danger from the motorists who choose to drive without proper caution or attention.  An accident that happened late yesterday at a rural crossroads in the thumb area illustrates this point, here is the report Amish buggy crashes with Jetta, injuring drivers and horse in Michigan:

GREENLEAF TOWNSHIP, MI — Two people and a horse were injured when an Amish buggy turned in front of a Volkswagen Jetta in Michigan's Thumb, police say. 

The crash happened at 9:52 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at the intersection of Bay City Forestville Road and Germania Road in Greenleaf Township, the Sanilac County Sheriff's Department reports. 

A 2002 Volkswagen Jetta driven by 21-year-old Elizabeth Bowerman of Ubly was eastbound on Bay City Forestville Road near the intersection of Germania and collided with an Amish buggy driven by 21-year-old Mose Kempf from Bad Axe.

The Amish buggy was on Germania Road south of the intersection and was attempting a left turn into the westbound lane when he misjudged the distance of the car and turned out in front of it, police said. 

The horse, named June, was injured in the crash and got loose from the buggy after impact. The owner and citizens secured the horse until a trailer was brought to the scene. June was then transported to Bad Axe to be treated for injuries.

The Sanilac County Sheriff's Office was assisted on scene by citizens.

Both people planned to seek their own medical treatment at Huron Memorial Hospital, police said.

The crash happened in Sanilac County, about 100 miles north of Detroit.

The above photographs are the vehicles involved in the accident.  Several factors should be noted that were complicit in the incident.  But first, here is a bird's eye view of the intersection it happened, with red representing the car and its direction of travel, somber black representing the amish wagon:

And here is the view the eastbound Jetta driver would see coming to the intersection during the daytime:

And lastly, here is the view from the horse's perspective looking towards the west:

Needless to say, at the time of the accident it was dark out and even though the Amish wagon looks as if it is equipped with lights and reflectors, the horse likely had neither; none is required by law. 

Coming up to a somewhat busy intersection at night is therefore a tricky endeavor.  The overhead shot of the accident scene (taken at some earlier point by Google) shows that there may have been at the time of this incident some crops in the field, though it would be likely harvested and down low enabling the car to have been able see the buggy lights and reflectors, and vice versa. 

Even the best trained horses react in uncertain ways at times, so provided that the buggy came to a stop, they might not necessarily start up right when you want them to.  They are not like your typical vehicle, they have a mind of their own at times.  This definitely could have been contributory to the crash.  Whenever motorists notice someone on a horse or a horse-drawn vehicle, they should exercise the utmost caution not to startle the animal and should treat them as if they were children in the road (i.e. slowing down, perhaps stopping, and giving them plenty of room in clearance when passing). 

The area of damage to both vehicles and the reports indicate that the driver in this scenario didn't likely do that.  The damages to both vehicles indicate the wagon was struck with some force and the Amish passenger is lucky to be alive and well. 

And whereas the article's headline seems to make it clear that the buggy crashed into the Jetta, and the article implies the Amish man was at fault according to the police ("...he misjudged the distance of the car and turned out in front of it.), the driver of the Jetta should assume some fault for not driving with caution, providing the corner's visibility issues were as clear as the photos.  They are lucky they didn't get in worse shape.

Michigan law on the subject is basically covered by one statute (MCL 257.604) which allows animal riding and animal-drawn carriages on the road the same rights and duties as other vehicles (that are applicable).  As such, every other person using the road have their corresponding duty to make their mode of travel safe.

In conclusion, if you recall this incident that happened earlier this summer Media and Sheriff Quick to Blame Victims, Defend Killer we had the same presumed scenario that happened in this instance (i.e. a vehicle pulling up to a stop sign, then proceeding into the path of a motorcycle who had the right of way.  In that accident the media and sheriff's office absolved the driver of any blame even though their clearly negligent and unlawful actions took the life of the motorcyclist.  Always expect the double standard when a vulnerable user of the road is involved, they are vulnerable to more than you may think, like bad press and police bias against them.