Wednesday, February 11, 2026
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Serving Kosciusko County and parts of Elkhart, Marshall & Noble Counties
Know Your Neighbor . . . . . 2➤ Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Vol. 55, No. 33
DON’T
Milford (574) 658-4111 • Warsaw (574) 269-2932 • Syracuse (574) 457-3666
114 W. Market, Warsaw, Indiana 46580
BUG
OUT
HOLD YOUR HORSES — Horse-drawn buggies are a common sight in northern Indiana, especially in rural areas. It’s important to drive slowly and give the horses plenty of space when passing - at least 20 feet - to prevent accidents.
How to drive safely around
BUGGIES
Text and Photos By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer
With a high Amish population in northern Indiana, it’s not uncommon for motorists to find themselves behind a horse-drawn buggy . It’s also not uncommon for accidents to happen - for example, in June 2025, Nappanee residents Aden and Mary Chupp were killed when a vehicle collided with the back of their buggy . “As far as driving in a horse and buggy, the biggest concern is the traffic behind you,” said Austin Martin of Martin’s Buggy Shop, Nappanee . “The majority of the accidents that do happen around here, it’s mostly rear-end, as far as the motorists not seeing the buggy .” The Martins, a Mennonite family, have been building and repairing buggies for over 40 years . Austin Martin stressed the importance of responsible driving for everyone on the road . “As a buggy shop, we try to promote good lighting, safe driving . On the buggy driver’s part, it’s important,” he said . “As far as motorists go, it’s being alert and watching the road, especially in areas where they know they will encounter horses and buggies or bicycles .” How can these accidents be prevented? All the regular rules
of safe driving apply: never drive drunk, minimize distractions and stay alert - especially at night . Most buggies are traveling at 5 to 10 mph, so it’s vital to follow them at a slow speed and give them plenty of space until it is safe to pass . “When you do pass, don’t honk,” said Martin . Loud noises risk spooking the horses . But what else can be done, and how much space is enough? The American Trauma Society, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing accidental injuries and deaths, recommends the following safety measures: • Only pass a buggy when it is safe to do so . Before pulling back into the right lane, leave at least 20 feet of space in front of the horse - that’s about two car lengths . • Watch out for hills . A rise can easily conceal a buggy or bicyclist, so don’t take hills too fast or there may not be time to stop . • Don’t follow too closely, especially when approaching a stop sign . Buggies may roll back a few feet when stopping . Amish and Mennonites are experienced horse drivers . Martin said he started out with a pony at age 5 and began driving a buggy when he turned 15, around the same time others start driver’s ed . Driving horses are trained
HANDICRAFT — Brandon Martin works on the undercarriage of a buggy at Martin’s Buggy Shop in Nappanee. The family has been building and repairing buggies for over 40 years. Brothers Brandon and Austin work in the shop with their father, Leroy. from a young age and exposed to stimuli, such as rattles and crinkling plastic bags, to get them accustomed to noises . Still, they are living animals and can get spooked . Martin suggested keeping a level head and going slow but steady to avoid startling a horse on the road, especially in the winter . “In the cold weather, a horse just has a lot more energy,” Martin said . “If I approach an intersection and there’s a car coming, sometimes I see my horse acting like it doesn’t want to wait .” In those cases, he actually recommends motorists continue driving, instead of coming to a stop in front of the horse .
“Sometimes, I see people slow down because, naturally, they’re not sure what the horse is going to do . But most times it’s better to keep on going . If they slow down, the horse has to wait all the longer,” he explained . “Most times, the horses are more spooked if a vehicle does slow down or stop .” With ice and snow on the road, caution is even more important . Horses with metal shoes have traction in slippery conditions, Martin said . A car, however, takes longer to slow down or stop on a slick road . In winter weather, motorists should leave extra distance between themselves and any vehicle in front of them . With twice the weight and a
hard metal body, an out-of-control car poses a significant threat to a buggy and its occupants . Safety measures have improved since the early days of the shop, Martin added . Many buggies are now made of fiberglass and come with hydraulic brakes, which can stop a buggy even if a horse tries to charge forward or back up unexpectedly . Turn signals are also a standard feature on newer buggies, but many older models do not have them; in those cases, drivers may rely on hand signals . By keeping an eye out for buggies, motorists can help keep roads safer and prevent future accidents .