Upstate Trauma Center reminds motorists about safety driving near Amish buggies

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WWTI) – Upstate Trauma Center in Syracuse reminded drivers to be careful when sharing the road with Amish buggies.

There have been a number of accidents between vehicles and horse-drawn buggies across the region. Upstate Trauma Center said they treat “patients who are injured from motor vehicles involved in horse and buggy accidents.”

They added they want people to do their part “by staying extra vigilant and exercise caution in an effort to keep these riders safe.”

Here are a list of tips the center when driving around an Amish buggy:

• Slow down when you see a buggy in either lane! Most travel 5-10 miles per hour, you will approach it much faster than you think.
• Do not blow the vehicle’s horn or scare the horse
• Only pass when its safe and legal to do so. When pulling back into the travel lane, the American Trauma Society recommends leaving 20 feet in front of the horse.
• Be attentive to hand motions and turn signals
• Stay off phones while driving

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