No Lights. No Safety Triangle. Why? (Amish Buggies)

Why do some Amish refuse to use lights or orange SMV safety triangles?
My name is Erik Wesner and I'm not Amish. Back in 2004, I met the Amish while selling books. Since then, I've visited 5,000+ Amish homes & dozens of Amish communities. My book on Amish business, Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive, was published in 2010. I run the Amish America website: amishamerica.com/
Image credits: Don Burke (www.flickr.com..., Jim Halverson, Don Shenk (www.amazon.com..., Karen Johnson-Weiner, S.I., Jerry in PA, Jeremy Newman/Scioto Post
Video: Michael Pilkinton (amishofethridg...)
Sources:
www.cleveland....
lancasteronlin...
www.wndu.com/2...
www.fox13memph...
www.dot.state....

[@bman386]

We lived in Ethridge, Tn among the most conservative group of Amish. They refused the triangle but did put reflective tape and pvc on the wheels. However, they told us the reason the lanterns are at a different height is so they don’t hit mailboxes on that side of the buggy.

[@droolbunnyxo9565]

This is a good video, very informative. Whenever we visited Lancaster & the surrounding areas, we always drove as if the roads were in school zones. Not always at 20 mph, but always with the same level of caution. It had a lot to do with respect. We were in their communities & politely abided by their way of life.

[@glennwolfe1663]

The reflective is only visible at @ 2 car lengths. The SMV sign is much more visible. Here in WI, it is required by law for farm type implements. Apparently they don't feel the need to obey. And yes the sign is man made but then so is the wheel.

[@susiecox8413]

Hi Erik, good information here on safety and/or lack of...I'm glad to know some use reflective tape and/or lanterns at least. I personally like seeing the "triangles" and working lights on buggies. Not just for night driving but when it's rainy or foggy weather. Even tho the majority of accidents are not caused by the Amish safety should always be everyone's priority....

[@TheMtggrl]

Very interesting, it'll be a struggle I'm sure in Ohio to push the Amish in to using the reflective triangles, I would guess they will push back in their own ways by not using them and as you said perhaps going to jail for their convictions. I'd love to know more in the future as to how this goes. Thanks for sharing.

[@RetreatfarmFarmvilleVirginia]

RIP John and Barbie Esh. Killed in Farmville, Va. Buggy Hit and Run accident October 17th 2021.

[@medinafarm931]

Just thought I d mention the pvc pipes are usually wrapped with white reflective tape

[@maxrobertson2834]

You should come to Vermont and visit our Amish community. They are very kind and I think you would really enjoy it there!

[@AmishAmerica]

I'd love to visit that community, I hear it's also a beautiful area

[@evilborg]

The Ohio State Highway Patrol reports there have been 685 buggy-related crashes statewide since 2018 - far more than any other circumstance the patrol accounts for - and of those, 17 were fatal. There were 68 such crashes in Ashland County; 135 in neighboring Wayne County; 78 in Holmes County to the southeast; and 39 in Knox County to the south.

[@prettylady995]

Love the buggies how about doing a video on their work horses….

[@RicArmstrong]

Yes, I'd love to see that.

[@ktanner11]

They shouldn't be allowed on the road period. The road they use but pay absolutely no taxes to maintain

[@alberthofmann420]

Please update us on that ohian group! Nice insights, I love your channel! Greetings from germany!

[@stantonmagid4126]

Always entertaining and educational thanks again Erik

[@cindynielson4231]

I really enjoy your videos, they are so informative. Keep up the good work. 👍

[@jaykingsun7093]

Interesting that they use any technology at all. I mean a house drawn buggy is tech.

[@michaelbedford8017]

Somewhat surprised that they use PVC piping, as PVC is a totally man-made polymer.

[@lilbatz]

I think the reason against the triangle is it's hunter orange and "garish". I hope they figure out a way to make the buggies more visible without feeling they compromised their beliefs with there God.

[@evilborg]

pretty stupid not to use some sort of safety items... wiping out Swartzentruber family in a night by a car driver would be pretty traumatizing

[@sysghost]

If it happens, it's the will of god. Their words. Sadly this view involves others who never asked to be involved.

[@floralbouquets]

I am in Ohio. 2 times in my area a buggy without the triangle has been hit.

[@RABSTRAINS]

I saw a few buggy’s south east of Ft Wayne Indiana last weekend. One had a ton of amber flashing lights, red lights, led lights along with the safety triangle. A few others had a few lights and the triangle. I don’t know what group they are with, but the one was definitely progressive when it comes to being seen and safety. They all were also enclosed with tops, no topless buggies.

[@yseson_]

“The triangle is a man made symbol” um so just going to ignore that the buggy is a man made object on a man made road? Why even farm at that point?

[@jeffsmith-ze6wb]

It’s sad here in Lawrence county Tennesse we’ve got lots of Amish here and there’s been a couple of crashes here where a couple of Amish have been killed.

[@codyd4247]

Your info is very cool really does give good info on a different culture

[@AmishAmerica]

Thank you Cody!

[@lilbatz]

Buggy accidents are absolutely horrific, especially if the buggy is full of kids/young family. I get the attitude of let God sort it out. The people who are instantly killed, their troubles are over. It's the poor police and EMS that have to dig through the scene with it forever burned into their memories. The buggy aren't really that visible when all decked out anyway. People drive way to fast in Michigan and the car unfortunately wins.

[@brendahunt7478]

Good Evening 😊

[@watertriton]

I have a large Amish community that lives near me I’ve often thought that they just need their own paths or roads to travel down. The tail lights are almost worst because it looks like a distant vehicle. The ones in my area travel in a convoy at night.

[@shellykearney7821]

They use them in Kentucky, they do help cars on the road see them better in the night time. They are very nice people.

[@lesliekendall5668]

There is black reflective tape and black reflective paint now days.

[@jerriscollins-ruth9019]

Thanks Eric

[@drbobsnightmare2521]

My mama says fuzeball and reflectors technology is the devil.

[@kimkrebs451]

Do the Amish realize that God gave people gifts to make things to help protect others lives?

[@Lost_AtSea_]

I have to question the Shwartzentruber’s way of thinking. This is the same as if I chose to drive my vehicle at night with my headlights off. And to put all my trust in God that myself and others will be safe. I understand putting things in Gods hands, but why make the odds greater for an accident. I think these ways of thinking and going about their life’s is a little delusional.

[@nicholasfink6170]

If they have reflective tape in back of the buggy that is good enough the triangle is not going to make it any better. It starts with a triangle and it ends with a license. So for not putting a triangle I support that

[@riggs20]

I have so much respect for the Amish, but the resistance to use triangles and/or lights on the vehicles really irks me. It’s not just for their safety, but the safety of others too. I don’t think the excuse of letting it be God’s will is legit. I mean, do they refuse to look both ways when crossing a road because it will be God’s will odd they’re hit? Would they walk down the middle of a street at night in all black? Would they keep their candles burning unattended all night because it would be God’s will if their house burn down? God gave us common sense and the ability to work with one another. I think He wants us to use these gifts!

[@centredoorplugsthornton4112]

Ohio governor and ex AG Mike DeWine seems to think jail is the answer to everything.

[@RicArmstrong]

I have to say, considering how insane society and our western culture is getting, sometimes I envy the Amish. I have the upmost respect for their lifestyle.

[@karengunia5451]

Thank you again for an efucating video!

[@mm-yt8sf]

i guess it'll be a very long time before we see any disco ball buggies 🙂

[@TheGhostOfLuciasClay]

If its mainly the man made shape and color being the problem why not adopt a shape acceptable to the Amish that would be designated to indicate a buggy like the triangle is for slow moving? I'm also pretty sure black can be made reflective so it would be seen at night when light hits it. It might not be noticable in the day but a simple white outline would help it stand out on the black buggies.

[@kagnewmp12]

So how did the Ohio proposal work out. Thanks for these two videos you sent me in your comment when I talked about the death in Michigan of the 15 year old Amish Girl

[@AmishAmerica]

Swartzentruber Amish still refused to attach lights or pay fines out of principle, judge put a lien on their property and it's seemed to have died down since last year

[@autentico3284]

Government should be required to give a buggy lane for them, just like they give bike lanes.........buggies were first on the roads, not cars and trucks.

[@ourboy170]

bullshit,they need to move with the times,they are a danger to themselves and everyone else

[@tedcorbin4638]

*I. Know Right

[@floralbouquets]

Then they should pay taxes to help make that happen.

[@autentico3284]

@@ourboy170 and how are the times working out for you? high gas prices, insurance, car plates, taxes for government corruption, tire cost, and car service, killing the ozone.....yea you are the times, but of idiots.

[@autentico3284]

@@floralbouquets they do pay taxes. question is do you pay.

[@oldfarmshow]

👍

[@guineapiglady2841]

Also, TWO separate roads for cars and buggies!!!!

[@BLARG09]

The buggy is man made. The lantern.

[@gr33nshoes]

Interesting information. But what if they cause an accident, because of low visibality, to others non-Amish and even death (by (not) seeing an oncoming car to late, trying avoid a crash with their buggy and running of the road)?

[@silent1967]

This is not an Amish problem, this is a automobile stupid driver problem. Pay attention, slow down and don't outrun your headlights.

[@SantaFe19484]

Are there any Swartzentruber Amish in Pennsylvania? Perhaps a lot of them will leave the state of Ohio if they don't want to have to follow this law.

[@TCOphox]

I was wondering, why aren't there any Amish horse powered busses? Seems like a good idea to reduce the accident rate by having less vehicles and a communal transport service.

[@bobbrinkerhoff3592]

Because they have enough school houses in an area so that they can either walk or ride a bicycle back and forth easily .

[@zalkona5051]

It makes me feel bad at the thought of Amish people going to jail because they don’t believe in an orange triangle. They came here to worship as they pleased without governmental persecution. How is that some effective middle ground couldn’t have been found with the most conservative groups’ leadership? You can’t do the triangle? Ok fine. So what ARE you willing to do? Let’s talk until we find a workable solution?

[@theotherohlourdespadua1131]

Dude, it's just a traingle that shines brightly at night if hit upon by a light source. Would it soothe their ego if thses are made of glass and by Amish hands?

[@bobbrinkerhoff3592]

The problem is that they are red and orange , two colors that they have shunned for decades .

[@angeliquelivezey2216]

Sometimes people just don't pay attention to buggies even if they have all kinds of reflective strips, reflective triangle, lights, and turn signals. My one neighbor got hit with all this on his buggy.

[@lilbatz]

People drive way way too fast where the Amish live in my state. Hell, they'd blow down I 75 going 95 in the right lane I'd they could.

[@luckyduckie2000]

I get the idea of not interfering with what God has distended. How do they answer to God if someone is hurt of killed because of their belief (neglect ) of safety reflective gear?

[@jeffersonmorant]

Happy Tuesday Barbara, That’s so thoughtful of you, Thanks for your positive review,How are you and how’s the weather over there?

[@thehangmansdaughter1120]

Hold up, are you saying some Amish don't have smoke detectors in their homes? While using wood burners and gas lighting?

[@Melissa0774]

If they cause an accident because someone in a car couldn't see them at night, could that person sue them and win? Has anyone ever sued the Amish at all for any reason at all, let alone car accidents? You should do a video on that maybe.

[@notsosilentmajority1]

Ahhh, America. Sue, sue, sue.

[@yourfreedomisanillusion]

@@notsosilentmajority1 -I know, right? When did it become ok to sue everyone??

[@notsosilentmajority1]

@@yourfreedomisanillusion This is why we pay so much money for insurance, etc.. There is no such thing as a victimless crime and we are all paying for the amount of lawsuits that occur in the US. About 2 years ago I read somewhere that the US has over 60% of the world's lawyers. Wow!! That in itself is a problem, they all want to be rich too.

[@TimOdne-bb9vd]

❤🎉🎉

[@brandongeckle7235]

A lot of amish in the hardin county ohio communities don't use orange triangles and just have very dim laterns Also Erik could you tell me if theres a lot of swartzentruber amish in the hardin county ohio area

[@AmishAmerica]

That's actually a different group than the Swartzentrubers but also very plain. As you say they don't use the triangle either but rather a distinct pattern of "blocks" of reflective tape (photo: amishamerica.com/ever-see-an-amish-buggy-like-this/). That's the main group I am aware of in the Kenton vicinity, there may be a smaller group nearby but probably the closest significant Swartzentruber community would be Ashland Coutny area (Lodi-Homerville-West Salem)

[@SandhillGuitar]

There are about 1100+ Amish in the Hardin Co community per the stats at Elizabethtown College. They are not actually Swartzentruber Amish but are their own sect with several smaller similar communities in several states. As swartzies are to the Holmes Co OH Amish, Hardin Co is to the Elkhart-Lagrange IN Amish community, ie for the most part, these people come from the northern IN Amish, not OH and are their most conservative element. They broke away in the 1950s and went intentionally conservative and intentionally reformed, hence they do not fellowship with Swartzentruber Amish even though most non-Amish cannot see the differences, nor do they fellowship with the vast majority of Old Order Amish.

[@brandongeckle7235]

Thank you both. I'm looking at a home in that area and was wondering about the amish in the community.

[@lark9054]

Where are your lights at? You have lights.

[@georgeh9967]

Some of them are just to stupid to save their own lives. Some dark night. A 3ton SUV vs a buggy, guess who wins.

[@justindillon8896]

The Amish should duct tape containers of Pop Secret popcorn to their ceiling for smoke detectors.

[@hicknopunk]

I get mad when Amish doubt God.

[@olivegreenpants7153]

Why?

[@hicknopunk]

Amish against this reflectors HATE God and are second guessing his creation (the cat's eye).

[@leehouston5436]

What a stupid statement

[@drbobsnightmare2521]

It's a triangle, a representation of evil, like the pyramids and the Masonic church. Also the symbolism of cults like AA and the Illuminati.

[@celtekrider2]

Just wait till the Swartzetruber get rear ended by a Swift truck... That stupid 🔺️ won't seem so bad then.

[@sisscokids3367]

LEAVE THEM ALONE! THE SWARTZENTRUBERS ARE GREAT PEOPLE. LEAVE THEM ALONE!

[@susanschuck8124]

No one ever said they were not great people! That was never said at all. You misunderstood the message.

[@RicArmstrong]

⚠️ Karen Alert ⚠️

[@murp61]

I agree. Gov't should leave the Amish alone.

[@sisscokids3367]

@@susanschuck8124 No you missed the point. When you are in our neighborhoods, SLOW DOWN. LOOK FOR BUGGIES. Those buggies are not flying up and hitting you. It is careless, distracted drivers hitting them. All the lights will not stop senseless distracted drivers. With your logic, every pedestrian should wear flashing light hats. LEAVE THE AMISH ALONE!

[@MrTangolizard]

Man made symbol ? Unlike the buggy then

[@TimOdne-bb9vd]

gtwpusiyit🌸✝️

[@theMyouknow]

A horse driven buggy or wagon is not considered a vehicle, therefor all vehicles must yield the way for such obstructions according to law, pedestrians goes before all man made vehicular objects, there for a buggy and cars must yield for pedestrians, therefor law cannot force a triangle on these wagons or buggies, so they should A* Make the visibility on the roads better with lamps, B* Lower the speeds on often used roads by the Amish so that accidents will happen less C* The Amish will comply willingly to adhere said lights stickers or triangles if said inquires is not met for their own safety. That law that horses are considered vehicles are laughable I wonder who in the right mind considered a horse a vehicle just because you can ride on it, so a bear is a vehicle because you can ride on it....is a man a vehicle because you can ride on the shoulders of one another.

[@TimOdne-bb9vd]

Kdwt

[@meatballmagoo6134]

I♥️Trump Amish ♥️Trump 💣

[@drbobsnightmare2521]

I'd be Ultra Amish if they allowed conversion.

[@drbobsnightmare2521]

MAGA Love Trumps hate.

[@Nza420]

Their buggies are man made also. So, the argument is fallacy.

[@crossmaster77]

" buggies" is not a symbol.