Amish Buggy Exemption Pulled From House Bill

The state House, meeting in Harrisburg, deleted from a transportation bill language that would have allowed an Amish sect to use gray reflective tape instead of orange triangles on their slow-moving buggies.

The Swartzentruber sect contends that the triangles--required by state law--violate their beliefs against gaudy decorations.

The sect is appealing a judge’s verdict this month upholding $95 fines issued to 20 sect members for not using the triangles.

Reflective tape on slow-moving vehicles is legal in nine states, including Ohio, where the sect lived until two years ago.

Rep. Gary Haluska, who sponsored the amendment deleting the exemption from the bill, said the triangles are easier for motorists to see. “It’s a safety issue,” he said.