CCPD: Be aware of slow moving vehicles on the roads, animals too

IVY JACOBS PHOTO - Clay City Police Department is located at 111West 8th Street. Motorists are urged to use caution and slow down for slow-moving vehicles in the are, along with some animals.

The Clay City Police Department is requesting motorists in the southern part of Clay County be more alert and patient.

"We have all heard stories of an accident involving Amish horse-drawn buggies," said Police Chief Terry Skaggs, encouraging drivers to be alert for the slow-moving vehicles in the area with new Amish families moving into the area recently. "We also have several avid horse riders and clubs in our county that ride regularly. As a police officer in the southern part of our county, I travel the area and see several times a day horse-drawn buggies with families traveling to stores, work, church, etc."

Skaggs said there is an increase in Amish families moving into Clay County, all-terrain vehicle traffic, and more people are getting out and riding horses - including conditioning horses for the upcoming Saddle Up For St. Jude event September 17.

"With this increase in traffic, there is a greater need for drivers to be alert and use caution and safety while sharing the road with buggies, horses, and UTVs," Skaggs said. "It's everyone's responsibly to share the road together."

Skaggs offered some safety tips, including:

A horse and buggy, traveling at speeds of five to eight miles per hour, is to be treated like any other vehicle traveling on the road and should only be passed when it is safe and legal.

Skaggs said more than 65 percent of all traffic deaths involving buggy drivers and passengers occur in rural areas. Horses can be unpredictable, and even the most road-safe horse can "spook at a fast-moving vehicle, loud exhaust, horns, music, etcetera."

Skaggs encouraged drivers to be prepared to adjust their speed when they see a slow-moving vehicle sign, "A black horse-drawn buggy is especially difficult to see at night."

"I respect and admire the way of life for the Amish and the citizens of our county who get out and enjoy what our county has to offer on horseback, bike, UTVs, and all the many other means of travel," said Skaggs. "Let's all do our part so we can avoid the accidents we hear about," Skagg said, believing all residents benefit from living in such a great community.