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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we need an escort?
A procession controlled by a motorcycle escort is the safest way to get a large group of cars from point A to point B.
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Having a motorcycle escort brings additional attention to the procession helping
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motorists to recognize a funeral procession and "yield the right of way"
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Road construction and traffic delays are a big concern in todays travel.
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Friends and family members may never make it to the service or the burial site when if
another driver un-knowningly cuts into and interupts the procession.
A Motorcycle escort can easily and rapidly find a safe way around the obstruction.
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The Funeral Director at the front of the procession may not know what the rest of the procession is doing and will not be alerted if the procession gets seperated.
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But we are only going a few blocks!
After years of funeral escorts existing in and around Franklin County it is one of the safest ways to get to your destination even if only for a few blocks.
Why do I need my hazard lights and my headlights?
State law requires that each vehicle in a funeral processionhas its head lights turned on, and an orange or purple pennant displayed on the vehicle designating a funeral procession. Police Motorcycle Escort has taken on the additonal task of asking drivers in the procession to also use their 4-way flashers or hazard warning lights. Although it is not state law the additional use of the 4-way flashers help identify the funeral procession. With the advent of Daytime Running Lights, drivers may not realize that the line of cars with headlights turned on is a funeral procession. With Hazard lights, it will draw the attention of other drivers to the procession.
I have Daytime Running Lights. Why do I need my headlights on?
State law requires that the vehicles headlights be lighted, not Daytime Running Lights not high-beam headlights, or running lights.
Someone cut into our procession, and is riding along with us.
Get the attention of the motorcycle escort, and indicate the vehicle in question, and the motorcycle escort will attempt to correct the problem.
If the procession gets separated by more the five vehicle lengths then the seperated part is no longer considered a part of a funeral procession, and must observe all motor vehicle laws.
I'm on an on-ramp, about to merge onto the freeway when I see a procession. What do I do?
Slow your vehicle and adjust your speed so that you do not merge untill the last care in the procession has passed. You may want to pull to the berm for the purpose of yielding to the procession in this case.
I'm on an off-ramp, and there is a funeral procession exiting onto the same ramp.
If it is possible to pull safely off the highway untill the procession passes, then do so. If this is not possible then continue on to such time as you can move out of the path of the procession. Remember to watch for the motorcycle escort's directions for he will indicate the safest manuver to help you yeild to the procession.
Am I allowed to pass a funeral procession?
You may pass with care on a 4-lane road or street unless the motorcycle escort indicates otherwise. However, if you will need to turn through the procession, you must wait until the last car has passed. The procession has the right of way, and it is illegal to obstruct the path of the procession. Unless the motorcycle escort waves you around, you should not pass on a 2-lane road or street, even if ther is a broken yellow line. You will likely not have enough time and distance to safely pass the procession and return to your lane.
I need to exit from the freeway, and the procession is in my way.
The procession has the right of way, and it is illegal to obstruct the path of the procession. Cutting through a procession obstructs its path and is dangerous, especially on the freeway. If you force a car to brake suddenly when you cut through the procession, you could be held responsible for any resulting crashes.
I'm at an intersection, a procession is passing through, and my light just turned green.
There is no escort. Can I go?
No. Regardless of the presence of an escort, once the procession is in the intersection, you must yield until the last vehicle is through the intersection, unless instructed otherwise by a law enforcement officer.
I saw a funeral procession go by, and some of the cars didn't have purple or orange flags.
Occasionally, a funeral home will not have enough flags to properly mark every vehicle in a procession. You must still yield to the procession.
