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Watch for horse-drawn carriages in Delta County

GLADSTONE, MI--   Michigan State Police from the Gladstone Post are urging the public to be aware of horse-drawn carriages and buggies in Delta County. 

Troopers say several Amish families have moved to the Cornell area and are traveling to Escanaba and Gladstone on a frequent basis.

Ridden, herded or driven animals are considered traffic under Michigan law and are treated like vehicles under the vehicle code. Riders or those who drive an animal are required to indicate turns, obey speed limits and stop at stop signs.

In Michigan, horse-drawn carriages or buggies are considered “implements of husbandry.” The carriage is required to bear the widely recognizable orange safety triangles on the rear to indicate they are Slow Moving Vehicles.  Buggies will also have reflective tape, which will help in visibility. 

Troopers are asking motorists to use caution and courtesy if they encounter a horse-drawn carriage. They say collisions are rare but can have devastating consequences. On Friday a suspected drunk driver hit a horse-drawn carriage in southern Michigan. Three children were killed and others were seriously injured.

Nicole was born near Detroit but has lived in the U.P. most of her life. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School and attended Michigan State and Northern Michigan Universities, graduating from NMU in 1993 with a degree in English.