Accidents and Incidents
During the time period from January 1, 2016 – January 1, 2024, there have been over 160 carriage industry incidents recorded by the City of Charleston. A number of these violated the law.
Accidents Since 2016
During the time period from January 1, 2016 – January 1, 2024, there have been over 160 carriage industry incidents recorded by the City of Charleston. A number of these violated the law.
According to City policy, the police are NOT required to be called to the scene of a carriage-related accident/incident. No witnesses are required to give a statement of what they saw. Please be aware that these reports are often filled out by barn managers who are typically not present at the time of the incident/accident or are filled out by drivers of the wagon.
Additionally, the information provided comes from the City of Charleston’s Tourism Department records.
An Accident/Incident can Include More Than One Category
View All Accidents/Incidents
INCIDENT 154
While on tour, a carriage wagon horse stepped away from a landscape wagon and equipment. The wagon then hit a parked car on the opposite side of the street and damaged the car. The police were called.
INCIDENT 153
While on tour, a carriage horse was distracted by the noise of a generator for a food truck parked near the filming of a “Southern Charm” episode. The horse moved and the front left fender of a car parked on the street was clipped. The car was damaged and the police were called to the scene.
INCIDENT 152
A carriage wagon was traveling down Anson Street. The horse stepped over and the front bumper of a parked car was scratched. There was no injury to the horse.
INCIDENT 151
A carriage wagon with 11 passengers and driven by a driver in training (with a regular driver) was stopped at the “gate” waiting to a medallion. The horse became spooked by a trash truck and began turning right into the sidewalk. The equine manager grabbed the halter to keep the horse off the sidewalk. The horse then took a step backwards and the right front step of wagon hit the trash truck as it was passing. The driver got off to check the horse who was OK but the hames had popped off the collar and it was put back in place.
INCIDENT 150
While on tour, the horse “Cash” accidentally stepped over the bar on the carriage wagon and the wagon was stopped. There was help to get the horse’s equipment reset. Horse was OK.
INCIDENT 149
On January 6, 2023, the driver of a car with a loudspeaker spooked a horse pulling a carriage wagon on tour that was stopped at King and Broad. This was observed by a CEO. The driver of the car has also driven around the market area where the decoy horses are and where the carriage wagons start their tours with loudspeaker at high volume. There have been multiple incidents and the car driver has yelled at the wagon drivers and the horses. It is illegal to tease or molest animals in Charleston and the Tourism Director issued a citation to the driver of the car.