The Minnesota Department of Transportation recently installed new flashing signs to alert motorists when an Amish horse-drawn carriage or “buggy” is on the road on a stretch of Highway 44 between Mabel and Canton in Fillmore County.
[Above photo by MnDOT]
The Amish – a Christian subculture that traces its roots to the 16th century Protestant Reformation – are distinctive for their use of horse-and-buggy transportation.
MnDOT noted in a statement that this particular stretch of Highway 44 is east of its junction with Highway 52. One sign in each direction has a flashing beacon that is activated when a buggy is approximately 150 feet from the start of the guard rail.
The agency noted that the sign has an Amish buggy symbol with a flashing beacon mounted on top and a sign below that indicates the warning is in effect when flashing.
MnDOT said this new flashing alert system – the first system of its kind deployed by the agency – should improve safety for the slow-moving buggies in an area that is home to the largest Amish community in Minnesota.
The agency also noted that horse-drawn buggies are typically driven on the shoulder to avoid conflicts with the vehicles. However, there is a stretch of Highway 44 that has narrow shoulders where guard rail is placed – forcing the buggies to travel on the road.
Thus, the purpose of this safety system is to alert motorists to buggies on the road at this location. MnDOT added that the sign’s technology is similar to the warning systems used by its Rural Intersection Conflict Warning Systems, using sensors trigger a flashing beacon as a warning to motorists on Highway 44 to watch for a buggy.
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