Guidelines for Illumination and Identification of Pony Carts, as well as Other Low-requency Mobility Vehicles Pulled by Animals
Improved Visibility for Pony Carts on Public Roads: ASABE Issues Revised National Standard
The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) has revised a national standard to enhance the safety of low-profile vehicles, particularly pony carts, on public roads. The new guidelines aim to reduce crashes involving horse-drawn and similar slow-moving vehicles by improving their conspicuity.
After meeting with over 85 community members, pony cart manufacturers, and dealers, recommendations were developed for improved lighting and marking practices. These guidelines, part of ASABE standard S276.3, focus on conspicuous, reflective, and lighted devices positioned carefully on low-profile pony carts to maximize visibility and safe road sharing.
Key Components of the Revised Standard
- Reflective markings: Vehicles should have reflective tape or panels on the rear and sides to improve nighttime visibility.
- Front and rear lights: White or amber front lights and red rear lights are recommended, including tail lamps, brake lamps, and turn signals, to clearly indicate the vehicle’s presence and intentions.
- Slow-moving vehicle emblem: A reflective triangular emblem should be displayed on the rear to indicate the vehicle’s low speed.
- Side markers: Amber side marker lights or reflectors near the front and red near the rear help define the vehicle’s length and width.
- Mounting height and placement: Because pony carts are low-profile, lighting and markings should be positioned as high as practical to ensure visibility to motor vehicle drivers.
Additional Recommendations
Community safety leaders have suggested wrapping retroreflective tape around the shaft of the flag pole for added visibility. Retroreflective tape should be mounted on the rear-facing edges of pony carts to improve visibility for passing motorists. Yellow retroreflective tape should be placed along the vehicle tongue or shaft, visible on the outside of the animal.
Orange flags, typically mounted on the left side of the pony cart, are recommended to provide greater visibility of low-profile vehicles on curves and over hilltops. It's important to note that orange flags will typically fade and should be replaced every year as needed. Efforts are being made to develop a medium-cost alternative to the orange flag that will not fade as easily over time.
Impact of the Recommended Practice
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that the use of reflective tape could reduce collisions by 7,800 per year. Retroreflective tape is effective in reducing side and rear impacts into heavy semi-trailers by 29%.
Pony carts can be equipped with a battery-operated lighting system, including amber hazard flashers, small headlights, and red taillights for maximum visibility during low-light hours.
Cultural and Religious Considerations
It is recognized that this recommended practice may raise cultural or religious issues. However, the goal of the revised national practice is to provide a standardized recommendation to enhance the visibility of individuals who operate pony carts on public roads, not to devalue or replace cultural or religious values.
For additional information, visit agsafety.osu.edu or request a listing of the available fact sheets from your local OSU Extension office. The Holmes and Wayne counties Amish Safety committees contacted The Ohio State University’s Agricultural Safety and Health program for enhanced lighting and marking on low-profile carts.
- To enrich the safety of pony carts and other slow-moving vehicles on public roads, consider implementing fashion-and-beauty solutions such as wrapping retroreflective tape around the shaft of the flag pole for added visibility, or using orange flags on the left side of the pony cart for greater visibility on curves and over hilltops.
- For a stylish yet functional improvement in the food-and-drink sector, consider equipping pony carts with a battery-operated lighting system, including amber hazard flashers, small headlights, and red taillights for maximum visibility during low-light hours.
- In the realm of education-and-self-development, efforts are being made to develop a medium-cost alternative to the orange flag that will not fade as easily over time, demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement and sustainable practices.
