In a significant legal battle unfolding in Ohio, members of the Amish community are seeking to overturn a controversial law mandating the use of flashing yellow lights on horse-drawn buggies. The case, filed in August 2024 in Hardin County Common Pleas Court, has drawn national attention and raised important questions about religious freedom and public safety.
The Legal Challenge
Four Amish men from West Salem, Apple Creek, Dalton, and Kenton have come forward as plaintiffs in this high-profile case. They are challenging the constitutionality of the law, which requires all buggies to be equipped with a flashing amber LED light for visibility. The defendants in the case include Ohio Attorney General David Yost, prosecutors from Hardin, Medina, and Wayne Counties, and Ohio State Highway Patrol Superintendent Charles A. Jones.
The plaintiffs argue that the law unfairly targets the Amish community and effectively criminalizes travel for Old Order Amish denominations, whose religious beliefs prohibit the use of such electric lights. This clash between modern safety regulations and traditional religious practices has set the stage for a complex legal battle.
Recent Developments
In a significant turn of events, Judge Steve Christopher granted a temporary restraining order on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. This decision temporarily halts the enforcement of the law, providing some relief to the Amish community while the case proceeds. A hearing to consider the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary and final injunction has been scheduled for July 8 and 9, 2025, in Hardin County Common Pleas Court.
The Controversial Law
The law at the center of this dispute was implemented in 2022, requiring Amish buggies and other animal-drawn vehicles to display a flashing yellow light while traveling on public roads. Proponents of the law argue that it is crucial for enhancing road safety, citing concerns about accidents involving horse-drawn buggies.
Safety Concerns and Statistics
The Ohio Department of Transportation conducted a study in 2019 that revealed 723 buggy-related crashes in the state between 2009 and 2019, resulting in 350 injuries and 17 fatalities2. Additionally, committee testimony indicated that 120 buggy crashes occurred in 2020, with 60% of them taking place during daylight hours.
The Amish Perspective
The Swartzentruber Amish community, which makes up about 12% of Ohio’s Amish population, has broadly refused to comply with the new law. They view the flashing lights as frivolous adornments that conflict with their religious commitment to simplicity and their desire to honor tradition.Abe Mast, a member of the conservative Kenton Amish sect, argued in earlier testimony that the Amish community was being scapegoated. He stated, “We feel the greatest cause of accidents is the use and influence of drugs and alcohol and the cell phone used while driving”.
Legal Precedents and Similar Cases
This is not the first time that safety regulations have clashed with Amish religious practices. Similar laws mandating safety emblems for slow-moving vehicles have been passed in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. In all of these cases, the laws were eventually modified to accommodate the Swartzentrubers, who found culturally acceptable alternatives such as lantern-style lights or patches of gray reflective tape.
The Harvard Connection
In an unexpected turn of events, the Ohio Swartzentrubers have received support from Harvard University Law School’s Religious Freedom Clinic. On August 20, 2024, lawyers and students affiliated with the clinic, along with Ohio-based counsel Taft Stettinius & Hollister, filed a complaint in Hardin County and moved for a preliminary injunction to halt enforcement of the law statewide.
Enforcement and Allegations of Targeting
Since the law went into effect, there have been allegations of law enforcement specifically targeting Swartzentruber drivers. Reports suggest that Swartzentrubers have been ticketed on their way home from court, and police have waited outside church services on Sundays to issue citations to departing drivers. In one particularly controversial incident, a couple with children in their buggy was rear-ended by a motorist and subsequently charged with child endangerment, a charge that carries potential jail time.
The Debate Over Effectiveness
Critics of the law, including Amish scholar Cory Anderson, question its effectiveness in preventing accidents. Anderson, who completed a master’s thesis on motor vehicle-buggy crash scenarios, argues that the flashing lights may not address common crash causes and could potentially increase risk in certain situations.
He points out that motorists may strike buggies due to factors such as sun glare, personal intoxication, cellphone use, or obstructed views from hills or curves – scenarios where battery-powered flashing lights may be ineffective.
The Legislative Process and Amish Support
The passage of the law was not without controversy. Ohio legislators who introduced House Bill 30 attempted to demonstrate Amish support by submitting letters from community members in favor of the measure. However, the authenticity and representation of these letters have been questioned, as none were signed.
Constitutional Implications
The case raises significant constitutional questions, particularly regarding the First Amendment’s protection of religious freedom. The plaintiffs argue that the law violates their right to freely practice their faith and unduly restricts their ability to move throughout the state.
Potential Outcomes and Implications
The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the relationship between religious communities and state regulations. If the injunction is granted, it could set a precedent for how safety laws are balanced against religious freedoms. Conversely, if the law is upheld, it may force the Amish community to adapt their practices or face significant restrictions on their mobility.
Conclusion
As the case progresses towards its hearing dates in July 2025, it continues to draw attention from legal experts, religious freedom advocates, and safety proponents alike. The resolution of this dispute will likely have significant implications for the Amish community in Ohio and could influence similar debates across the country.
This case underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing public safety concerns with the protection of religious freedoms in a diverse society. As technology and safety standards evolve, similar conflicts may arise with other traditional communities, making the outcome of this case a potential benchmark for future legal battles.
The Amish buggy light controversy serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between tradition and modernity, religious freedom and public safety, and the role of the legal system in mediating these tensions. As the case unfolds, it will undoubtedly continue to spark important discussions about the nature of religious accommodation in contemporary America.