COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Local health department officials continue to work with the large Amish population in the area to increase safety in the wake of a number of car-bubby accidents.
The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency last year received a $70,000 Michigan State Police Office of Highway Safety Planning Vulnerable Roadway Users grant last year and is applying for another. The money is intended to improve buggy safety by increasing law enforcement and implementing reduced speed zones in Amish school areas.
From 2016 to 2023, Branch, Hillsdale, and St. Joseph counties saw 78 crashes and four deaths, which accounted for 30% of Michigan’s vehicle-buggy accidents and 22% of buggy accident deaths.
The health department’s Kris Dewey says their goal is to work within the Amish culture. As part of that effort, health department educator Josh Englehart has begun meetings with Amish residents in their homes. He says various Amish sects in the three county area operate under different rules established by the community bishop, which leads to inconsistency in safety measures each distinct community is willing to accept.
Health department officials say Amish in the Centreville area tend to be more of a progressive group, using reflective vests and lights on their buggies, but other more traditional Amish may be hesitant to utilize safety equipment.
Information compiled in 2020 estimated 0ver 2,245 Amish in Branch County and 1,845 in St. Joseph County.
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