Animal-drawn vehicle safety bill signed by DeWine

State Rep. Scott Wiggam’s (R-Wooster) legislation requiring animal-drawn vehicles to increase their level of visibility on Ohio’s roadways has been signed into law.

“Many of Ohio’s districts, including my own, are home to rural communities that travel by animal-drawn buggies,” Wiggam said. “As a result, these individuals are not as visible as traditional vehicles, and the speed differential between vehicles poses a great risk to the buggy and a hazard to the motorized vehicle.”

Wiggam wants to decrease this risk by requiring animal-drawn vehicles to display a flashing light on the upper rear portion of the animal-drawn vehicle.

Under current law, animal-drawn vehicles are only required to display reflective tape during the daylight hours and lanterns on the front of the buggy at night.

“Safety was the priority when crafting House Bill 30,” Wiggam said. “It will ensure the safety of Ohioans sharing the road with these much slower forms of transportation.”

According to statistics from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, there were over 120 crashes in Ohio involving animal-drawn vehicles in 2019, most during daylight hours.

State Rep. Darrell Kick (R-Loudonville) is a joint sponsor of the legislation.

House Bill 30 will go into effect in 90 days.