COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Road Commission is pursuing a local ordinance to address ongoing road damage caused by horse-drawn vehicles after previous state-level legislative efforts stalled.
Earlier this month road commissioners requested a legal opinion on whether they have the authority to regulate “steel-on-pavement” traffic, which includes Amish buggies and wagons equipped with carbide-tipped horseshoes. County officials say that recently repaired stretches, such as Ray-Quincy Road, have deteriorated almost immediately due to the heavy use of these non-motorized vehicles, which do not contribute to road funding through traditional fuel taxes.
To avoid potential legal challenges regarding religious discrimination, the proposed local solution would apply universally to all users of steel-rimmed or carbide-tipped equipment, including farmers and construction contractors.
By framing the ordinance as a general infrastructure protection measure, the county hopes to establish a clear mechanism for billing for specific damages, similar to how it currently holds commercial operators accountable for tearing up pavement with tracked machinery.
While the Branch County Road Commission explores this local path, they are also monitoring neighboring Indiana counties, like LaGrange, which have successfully implemented licensing fees and buggy plate requirements to fund rural road maintenance.
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