A deadly collision north of Stratford involving a horse-drawn buggy left one boy dead and another injured, training a spotlight on the use of horse-drawn carriages.
See: Child, 13, dead in crash involving horse-drawn buggy in Ontario
Brian Williams examines where they're used and why they're allowed:
Why you see them
You'll often see a horse and buggy while driving in the Powassan area.Ontario is home to Old Order Amish and Mennonite communities, the most conservative elements of which – who often live in rural areas – eschew modern technology and conveniences, including automobiles. Instead, they rely on horse-drawn wagons and buggies for transportation. That accounts for much of the horse-drawn traffic you might see.
What they’re used for
Among the slowest-moving vehicles on the roads, horse-drawn conveyances can range from two-person carts, which can be open or have closed tops, to buggies that can carry up to eight passengers. They're used for personal transportation. Larger, wider farm wagons are also used to haul crops, equipment and other goods. Often found on rural concession roads, they also travel along the shoulders of paved roads but may go on or near paved lanes where shoulders are either narrow or don't exist, including over bridges.
Sharing the road
Authorities say regular vehicle drivers should slow down and use caution when approaching horse-drawn vehicles. Maintain a safe distance when following such traffic and pass only when it's safe to do so, keeping as far away as possible to avoid scaring or startling the horse. If you approach a horse-drawn carriage with the animal out of control, pull over and stop in a safe spot until the carriage driver has regained control of the horse.
Warning signs about horse-drawn vehicles can be found in areas known to have frequent horse-drawn traffic. Because they travel so slowly, relative to regular vehicles, and because of the potential for unpredictable animal behaviour, horse-drawn vehicles present a potential road safety hazard. In some areas of Ontario, municipalities also post precautionary reminders about horse-drawn traffic on their websites.
What the law says
There are few regulations governing horse-drawn buggies in Ontario. Operators don’t require a driver’s licence, vehicles don’t need licence plates, seatbelts and child safety seats aren’t mandatory and insurance isn’t required. One reason no licence is required is that licensing is generally restricted to motorized vehicles. Most horse-drawn equipment must feature a reflective, slow-moving vehicle sign. Exemptions are allowed for religious reasons, but even then five reflective strips are required for travel on public roads. Under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, drivers of motor vehicles must exercise every reasonable precaution to avoid avoid frightening horses to ensure the safety anyone leading, driving or riding a horse.
Crash history
Collisions and crashes involving horse-drawn buggies have taken a heavy toll in southwestern Ontario in injuries and death. Among other recent cases:
Jan. 25, 2022: A 27-year-old driver of a horse-drawn buggy was killed near Wingham when the horse veered into oncoming traffic.
Oct. 11, 2020: A 10-year-old was killed in a collision between a vehicle and a horse and buggy north of Hanover; days later, a nine-year old died of injuries from the crash.
March 8, 2019: A horse and buggy and a vehicle collided near Wingham; one person was flown to hospital with severe injuries and two others were treated for minor injuries.
Jan. 24, 2015: A 27-year-old driving a horse-drawn buggy was charged after it crossed into traffic in Milverton, causing a collision with a vehicle going the other way. The horse struck the windshield of the car, causing minor injuries to the 27-year old and two occupants of the vehicle.
Nov. 27, 2012: A 20-year-old man was hospitalized with serious injuries and his passenger, 22, treated for minor injuries, after a pickup truck struck a horse and buggy from behind. The horse was killed. A 31-year-old was charged in the collision.
Brian WIlliams is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter based at the London Free Press. LJI is funded by the Government of Canada.
