Funeral procession escort motorcycles

[NorCalBusa]

So what's the deal?

If these guys stop traffic against the light, or waive me to go or stop contrary to what would be happening normally- is it legal? If there is an accident and say I stopped at a green light because they were holding up their hand, am I at fault? Do they get extra privileges to speed past the procession to the next intersection, etc.?

Due respect for the dead, but it sure seems to not be appropriate- after all, there is no emergency...

 

[Steve Stansb]

Question 1) Yes. (2) No (3) Yes! It is a long held tradition that traffic is stopped for a funeral, goes back a long way. If the Motors are a private firm, the family pays for the service. In cases of military or a dignitary, the city, county, state or fed, which ever applies, picks up the tab. I have been in several military processions where we have had city and CHP motors escort. And in every case, we have seen people exit their vehicles, stand at attention and cover their hearts or, if they are a vet, salute. It is a perfect way to pay respect to one who has passed away! In some cases, the motor officers give of their time for this!

 

[NorCalBusa]

Sorry- I wasn't clear; I meant the amber light, private security/police wannabe escorts.

If the answers are the same, please provide the CVC/PC sections that grant them such authority. Thanks!

 

[motorman4life]

Sorry- I wasn't clear; I meant the amber light, private security/police wannabe escorts.

If the answers are the same, please provide the CVC/PC sections that grant them such authority. Thanks!

There is no state law, that I am aware of, that covers this. Most cities and counties have ordinances giving funeral processions privileges and some make it unlawul to interfere with a properly marked or escorted procession.

Just like police motors, the private escort riders are providing a service. They are there to keep the procession together and warn traffic as to their approach or to hold intersections as needed to enforce the procession's lawful right-of-way under local ordinances, if applicable.

They are not police and do not have police powers. They are really just helping the procession and aiding local traffic by getting the procession through as quickly and smoothly as possible with as little impact as necessary.

In places where there are no ordinances pertaining to ROW for a funeral procession, it is just a matter of courtesy. If you think blowing them off because they are not cops will help matters it will not. Besides the kharma issues if you do cause an accident, you may really find out what local laws there are in place to protect their actions.

They really don't want to hold you up any longer than necessary and BELIEVE ME, they do make a procession go much smoother and safer.

 

[07chuck]

Sorry- I wasn't clear; I meant the amber light, private security/police wannabe escorts.

If the answers are the same, please provide the CVC/PC sections that grant them such authority. Thanks!

Escort riding is some of the scariest crap you can ever do on a MC...

 

[motorman4life]

Escort riding is some of the scariest crap you can ever do on a MC...

You must've worked for Danny!

 

[NorCalBusa]

Nope, my concern about "blowing them off" would be one of liability, not discourtesy.

 

[motorman4life]

Nope, my concern about "blowing them off" would be one of liability, not discourtesy.

If there is a city or county ordinance pertaining to funeral processions or funeral escorts, you could be cited. If your actions are deemed reckless (conduct or behavior that, under the circumstances, reflects or demonstrates complete indifference to the safety and rights of others, in the opinion of the on or off-duty officer or citizen that witnesses the behavior), you can be placed under citizen's arrest, whether an accident occurs or not.

The escorts are there to manage the procession and alert traffic. If you disregard them (cops or not) and your actions are deemed unsafe or indifferent to the safety and rights of others, you could quickly find yourself in the back of a police car, watching your bike get loaded up on a flatbed or sling.

Like most things in life, you need to weigh the best possible benefits against the risks of the worst possible consequences. You also need to consider, that once you put a plan into action, you frequently aren't the only one making all of the decisions that will effect you and the outcome, but you may be the only one facing the full consequences.

 

[NorCalBusa]

Indeed- when I follow the civilian escort's instructions to run the red light and collide with the vehicle he thought was going to stop; my world's about to get rocked.

Next step, when everyone's lawyers will descend- and it's suddenly "every man for themselfs"- mine won't be able to find ANYTHING that exempts me from following the vehicle code...as their ain't no city ordinance that can disavow state law ("pot clubs" aside I guess). Looks like we disagree.

 

[motorman4life]

Indeed- when I follow the civilian escort's instructions to run the red light and collide with the vehicle he thought was going to stop; my world's about to get rocked.

Next step, when everyone's lawyers will descend- and it's suddenly "every man for themselfs"- mine won't be able to find ANYTHING that exempts me from following the vehicle code...as their ain't no city ordinance that can disavow state law ("pot clubs" aside I guess). Looks like we disagree.

If you WANT to be dissagreeable, that is fine.
Look at the green signal law in the CVC. We've been over it before here. If you have a green, you cannot enter until safe. It also states clearly that you must yield to all traffic that is lawfully within the intersection.

If someone enters under the direction of an private escort, as a part of a lawful funeral procession, which in most cases, is protected from interference or disruption (ie.. by a failure to yield to funeral procession ordinance), then you are lawfully within the intersection, so long as the cross traffic has been given adequate notice of the procession and has had a reasonable amount of time and distance to adjust and yield. Therefore, any vehicle choosing to enter on the green signal is doing so unlawfully and recklessly. 21451 CVC and 23103 CVC (Misdemeanor) or 23104 CVC (Felony) could apply.