Sorry brwe, meant to direct my statement at jvlmom! Mistyped...sorry.

You've either got your posters mixed up, or read WAY to much into what I thought was a clearly worded post! I didn't express any opinion of the perpetrator. Had I, I would have told you I think he should have 10-15 years in prison to reflect on his asinine choices--& have his driving priveleges permanently revoked (nationwide, ideally)!

brwe: exactly what "prairie" would you like the Amish to go to, the prairie we built our condos on?? Maybe we should have left the land to them, after all they were here long before we were. I don't get why people are wanting to blame the victims here. This guy should not have even been behind the wheel. The fact is that this guy could have hit a car and killed someone too.

As long as our idiotic legal system says bicycles have the same legal rights as motor vehicles, you'll have a hard time outlawing buggies!

Amish have rights to the road as much as any other driver. The infant could have been killed in a car for that matter. Either way it was a careless driver. My condolences.

Great point, SarahB1! Prescription/ non-prescription/ street drugs can be just as deadly when not used properly OR a person does not realize they are so judgement impaired.

Prevention...Yes I do agree that people do have different beliefs BUT it is the year 2009 and time to either move somwhere where this type of living can be done safely! Like the prairie!

I also agree with you prevention. Such a sad story :(

Those poor people...

I seriously doubt seat belts or car seats would help in a buggy made of wood against a car made of iron. Regardless of what's in the road you should never be going so fast that you can't stop. Just last week I had to stop for a guy stopped in the middle of the lane trying to catch a turtle in a wastepaper basket on Hwy A. No hazard lights were flashing either. He looked like he just won the lottery!

I understand their way of life and can be appreciative of it, but just like your username states, prevention is the key word here. child seats are mandatory in cars for prevention in case of an accident. I have read other article's about horse carriage accidents. It happens, have you ever been doing the legal speed limit of 55 and came around the corner and someone in your lane, in a car, was only going 10? Yes, the man driving drunk was at fault in this intstance, but laws are laws. And the laws should also pertain to the Amish. And in this instance had the child been required to be in an approved safety seat, then it would probably still be here today. My condolenses still go to the family. This is a tragedy in any regards.

could not have said it any better prevention!!

Completely agree with prevention...well stated!

Thanks trublubbrewcrew! The unfortunate part? It'll get torn apart in here as it is an unpopular, yet valid belief. I stick by it.

nicely said, PREVENTION. I wish more people were more tolerant of other peoples differences

In order to understand how "unsafe" a carriage is, we must first look at how unsafe our driving habits are. The Amish people have been using carriages for how many years before the invention of the automobile was even realistically thought of? Yet, all of a sudden they are not safe? Whatever.

It is also the ignorance of not knowing about the Amish ways. No, I do not understand the life of being Amish, but I do respect their love for their way of life. Sometimes, I wish I could break away from our materialistic world to live more in peace as the Amish do. But what would happen? I would have the government bust down my doors saying that my home was not suitable to their standards. Yet, it would be more than suitable towards the way of life lived. For those that still don't get it, watch a few OLD episodes of Little House on the Praire and you may understand more of the peacefulness of life.

what a horrendous tragedy. I feel so sorry for the family, and that innocent, defenseless baby.

My thoughts and prayers are with this family, how terrible to loss such a precious life before it even had a chance.
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I agree that there should be some sort of restraint in the buggies, for both children and adults. However, safety is not really the issue, people have been driving horse and buggy with cars flying by for a long time. The real issue is that some people cannot be responsible enough to admit they are under the influence and stay out from behind the wheel. Too many people have been lost because of people's ignorance. Laws should be a lot more strict when it comes to DUIs, I hope this guy gets what he deserves.

My thoughts and prayers are with this family. How awful! I sure hope this guy gets what he deserves and I hope the guilt haunts him for the rest of his life!

brykjo....I agree with the seatbelt/baby restraint laws! These buggies are not safe to be driving around without restrains. Even with restraints I do not believe they are that safe! I do know that even in a car/vehicle something awful can happen with car accidents and such. But cars/vehicles are MUCH more stable etc......and safer then buggies!

I think the seat belt/baby seat laws should apply to carriages also.

Thoughts and Prayers to the Family what a terrible loss. What a terrible shame I hope that this drunken driver never see's another free day for the rest of his life.

The driver's name is listed on http://www.wsaw.com/home/headlines/53134... and he has no previous DUI's.