AUGUSTA, Maine — All non-motorized, animal-drawn vehicles in Maine are now required to use reflective white tape and lights while operating at night.
LD 198, introduced in January with the intent to improve road safety in Amish communities, was signed into law Thursday by Gov. Janet Mills.
The vehicles must use federally regulated reflective white tape to outline their frames, as well as display an oil lantern or electric light on their left side, with a red light toward the rear and a white light toward the front.
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This as several communities in northern and central Maine are concerned about potential crashes involving the vehicles. Two crashes occurred in fall 2017, and another in 2014 killed a horse and sent four children to the hospital.
The bill was introduced by Rep. David McCrea, D-Fort Fairfield, and co-sponsored by Rep. Chloe Maxmin, D-Nobleboro.
Rep. McCrea said the purpose of the bill was to make the nighttime use of non-motorized buggies, wagons and carriages much safer, with input and concerns from the Amish community in Aroostook County.
"In my district, the roads are winding, two lanes and no shoulder. There’s no margin for error," Rep. Maxmin said. "The new law will promote safety as Amish communities continue to grow in Maine."
