Open Letter of Complaint: Driving in?Amish Communities
This is an open letter of complaint. Please read on.I am a 69-year-old male, happily married while raising five children. I had lived in Huntsburg…
This is an open letter of complaint. Please read on.
I am a 69-year-old male, happily married while raising five children. I had lived in Huntsburg for 35 years and the last six years in Middlefield, and have dealt within the Amish communities for 25-plus years.
This is to lend credibility to my observations. This is directed to a segment of the drivers/walkers in the greater Middlefield area. You will know if I am referring to you shortly.
#1 Problem: People that walk/scooter along the roads after dusk without lights, reflectors or anything to alert a driver that they are there. Someone gets hit and killed. The driver is found innocent of any possible charges, but he or she has to live with this issue for a lifetime.
Problem: Driving among the Amish buggies leaves much to be desired on both parts. Take an extra 15-90 seconds to pass a buggy to make it safer for all.
Problem: Most buggies are driven to the far right, leaving almost, but not quite enough, room for same direction passing.
Buggies should move to the center of their driving lane, if no buggy path is provided.
Problem: Passing a buggy when there is not enough room for a safe pass. This driver then looks at the oncoming driver as if they are some kind of “idiot,” as they did not swerve to the ditch to avoid them.
Some Amish drivers do this, too, with passengers in their vans.
Problem: Many drivers pass on the blind side of the hills only to find the road occupied with oncoming traffic. One or the other is run off the road as a result of this “stupid” way of driving.
Note: Farmington Road at Owen Road, Feb. 1, 2016, a lady had to ditch her car/van to avoid hitting someone head on. Yep, blind side pass, adults hurt, children hurt.
Problem: When buggies have more than a few vehicles behind them and will not pull over, as a courtesy and/or by law, to allow the traffic to go by.
Problem: Drivers that pull within 15 feet of a buggy at stop light. Keep in mind the horse has a brain, not a computer.
Problem: Many Amish drivers display “disability sign” constantly. Some feel this allows them to park in the handicap spots around town while waiting for Amish. Some have been told by the police this is not allowed, but that doesn’t seem to make a difference.
Problem: Drivers who park along the sidewalks in either a strip mall or in front of Walmart, or the bank to wait for someone to run in and out for whatever reason.
The Middlefield P.D. does not have a problem with drivers dropping Amish off and/or loading after shopping trips, just don’t block the entry doors while doing so. Park out of the way and move up when your trip comes out.
Problem: Many drivers ignore the “stop” lines on the road and stop well into the intersection itself. The long semitrailers and buggies are here to stay; get used to it.
Geauga County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Scott Hildenbrand responded, and I quote, “Hopefully people will read this and it will make them think.”
Responses welcome at rudyJIMm@hotmail.com. Please reference MAPLELEAF.
Thanks for consideration.
Jim McGowan
Middlefield Village
