Amish Fined for Refusal to Use Vehicle Signage
A judge fined 20 members of an Amish sect for refusing to put bright orange reflective triangles on their horse-drawn buggies, saying public safety overrides any religious objections.
The Swartzentruber Amish had complained that the symbols violate their beliefs.
The sect was hit with 27 of the $95 fines for failing to use the slow-moving vehicle symbol.
Their lawyer, Donna Doblick, said she will appeal. The Amish, who live near Nicktown, about 65 miles from Pittsburgh, have said they will leave Pennsylvania if they lose the case.
Instead of the triangles, the Swartzentruber use a gray reflective tape and a lantern on the rear of their buggies. Gray or white tape is legal for use on slow-moving vehicles in nine states, including Ohio, where the sect had lived.
The state Senate has approved a bill to let the Swartzentruber substitute the gray reflective tape and a lantern.
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