Swartzentruber Buggy Features: No Mirrors, Lights, or Orange Triangles

In rural Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania, drivers can easily spot a Swartzentruber buggy on public roads. Unlike standard Old Order buggies that feature battery-powered turn signals and bright orange reflective signs, Swartzentruber carriages remain resolutely traditional.

Key Features of a Swartzentruber Buggy

  1. Refusal of the Orange SMV Triangle: Members refuse to attach bright neon orange Slow-Moving Vehicle triangles, viewing the fluorescent color as worldly and proud.
  2. Lantern Lighting: Night travel relies strictly on traditional oil-burning lanterns hung on the side of the wooden frame.
  3. Reflective Tape Alternative: Following legal compromises, buggies use subtle grey reflective tape along the rear frame instead of bright symbols.
  4. No Battery Systems: Electrical battery setups of any kind are strictly forbidden on the carriage.