ACLU of Kentucky

 House Bills 133, 114, and Senate Bill 75 propose new legislation related to laws surrounding the use of the slow  moving vehicle emblem. Ordinung members of the Swartzentruber Amish in Graves County, have been jailed because, as ascribed by their relgious and sacred texts, they cannot display this graven symbol on the back of their motorless buggies.

These bills, currently in Transportation Committees in the House and Senate, provide an alternative to the slow moving emblem that may in fact be far safer than the current method of slow moving vehicle warning signs. Kentucky law states that slow moving vehicles (Tractors, Buggies, other motorless mechanical equipment) must display the orange triangular emblem on the  back of their trailors. The use of the bright neon color and faith in the triangle symbol violates modesty and religious code of the Swartzentruber Amish.

 While differences between the three bills exist, the alternative method proposes that slow moving or motorless vehicles display reflective tape along the upper rear, as well down both left and right sides. Field tests between the current triangular SMV emblem, and proposed alternative indicate the alternative may be seen at nighttime at distances exceeding 1,000 ft.

While little research exists on the safety between the two methods, evidence suggests that the critical factor of buggy related incidents involve speed differentials and the amount of space a driver may have to brake.