It’s interesting to note that, regardless of the vehicle code in a particular state, funeral escorts in some cities or counties frequently clash with local police˳ Resentment may be deep enough that police have even arrested funeral escorts for impersonating a peace officer (in Texas, for example)˳ On the other hand, some communities utilize trained community aides, instead of police officers, for funeral escort duty˳ This frees up officers to do regular police work˳
Regardless of any local tensions, specific laws and rules apply for funeral processions˳ In California, for example:
Treat Funeral Processions with Respect
By the way, woe to the non-funeral motorist in another, parallel lane, who doesn’t stop at a red light or Stop sign, before proceeding through it at the same time as the procession! If your vehicle isn’t displaying that company’s funeral sticker, it might be a good idea to just pull over and park where it’s allowed, until the funeral procession has passed on by˳ But watch your rear and side view mirrors for relays of speeding motorcycle escorts coming up behind you, before you make a move˳ Then, change lanes or turn safely into a side street away from the procession itself˳
Drivers in the funeral procession should exercise great caution to avoid colliding with any other motor vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians or roaming animals, and should not exceed the speed limit for a particular highway˳ Be prepared to listen to a lot of shrill whistle blowing from the escorts, as well as voice commands˳
If you can’t attend the burial at the cemetery after the funeral service, you may be trapped in the funeral procession anyway˳ Escorts can sometimes make it difficult to impossible for any vehicle to leave the mortuary or church parking lot before the hearse leaves first˳ If that’s the case, everyone is channeled into one long line of cars, and you can’t get out of it, even when you’re on the highway˳ So, plan ahead for more time than expected when attending a funeral˳ You might also want to park on the street, so you won’t have to negotiate with a funeral escort inside the parking lot˳
© 2006 Shirley Ann Parker
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