On roads that have hills and corners, slow down just in case there's a horse-drawn buggy up ahead.
When approaching a buggy from behind, drive at least 20 feet behind the carriage.
Slow down to make sure you have plenty of time and room to pass in the oncoming lane. Carriages usually travel at less than 10 mph. Pass with a wide berth of 6 to 8 feet or more and do not cut quickly in front of the horse.
Don't hit your horn. Most horses will have blinders, so they won't see you until you have passed. However, they are sensitive to noise and skittish. If spooked, they may jump or bolt.
When approaching an oncoming buggy, look for cars that may be passing the horse and rider. Let those cars pass first.
Observe whether the rider has control of the horse. If he doesn't, stop and wait until the horse is under control or no longer showing signs of nervousness.
When stopping at an intersection, be patient for a horse to clear the intersection and leave space between you and the buggy. At times, they coast back before going forward.
If you see a runaway horse and buggy, call 911 immediately. A runaway situation is dangerous to the horse, people inside the buggy, and anyone who encounters it. Follow behind the buggy to check for riders. Also, look for someone who may be chasing the horse on foot and offer a ride.
