Perth East Fire Department is asking motorists to remember they will encounter slow moving traffic when driving in rural Ontario.
Perth East and West Perth Fire Chief Bill Hunter is sending out a safety reminder following a collision that took the life of 74-year-old David Kuepfer, after a car and horse drawn buggy collided on Sunday.
The crash also sent three other occupants to hospital with injuries, one of which had to be airlifted. The horse was also killed.
The driver of a car was not hurt.
Hunter says drivers need to pay attention, as they are sure to encounter horse drawn buggies, farm equipment, bicycles, and even children walking to school.
Another collision between a car and buggy Christmas Day also left a teenager in critical condition. The crash happened a few kilometers from the scene of Sunday's fatal crash.
Hunter says the recent crashes are serious reminders for drivers.
“When travelling through rural communities, drive as if it’s your parents, siblings or children riding in those vehicles or walking along the road. A little patience and everyone’s full attention will prevent more of these tragedies from occurring,” he says.
“Our thoughts are with the family, friends and community of the victims... and also with all the emergency personnel who responded to the scene.”
Drivers; if you see a horse-drawn vehicle:
• Slow down and be very cautious.
• Maintain a safe following distance and only pass when it is safe to do so.
• When approaching a horse-drawn vehicle travelling in the opposite direction, move to the far right of your lane.
• When passing, give as much distance between you and them as possible. Passing too closely could scare or startle the horse, causing it to change direction suddenly on the roadway.