Funeral procession on a highway?

[Pricetag]

I was driving with my family today on 169 southbound between about 61st and 81st, and got trapped in the left lane by a funeral procession in the right lane. Their private security detail was zooming on ahead of them on bikes and shutting down the onbound ramps ahead of them, then zipping back up and ahead again when it had passed each ramp.

My question, why is it ever necessary for a funeral procession to be on a highway? There isn't anywhere that can't be reached via city streets, where intersections can be closed off safely to allow passage. A funeral procession is meant to be a solemn affair where speed/convenience is not a consideration, right?

On the highway, traffic in all lanes can't be expected to stop for them to go by--it's too dangerous.

The procession also creates a moving wall that forces drivers in the outer lanes to either miss their exit, or to be "rude" and cut into the procession.

For onbound traffic, you've created a back up of stopped drivers who now, after the procession has passed, have to attempt to merge onto the highway at nowhere near highway speeds.

Finally, the escort bikes were driving dangerously, as they had to zip back around the procession each time a ramp was passed to get ahead of it to close off the next ramp.

How is this not illegal?

[Lott's Bandana]

I've seen cars in opposing lanes on an Interstate pull over, for emergency vehicles as well as funerals. Seriously.

[mgsooner]

I've seen cars in opposing lanes on an Interstate pull over, for emergency vehicles as well as funerals. Seriously.

I have seen this happen too, and it's the type of stupidity that can cause horrific accidents.

[jumperstop]

I don't know about legality, but cops in funeral processions drive very dangerously and I have noticed this before. They aren't officially on duty and they are just doing it as a side job right? It should then be illegal for them to be going 75 or 80 on a city street, just to get ahead of the procession.

[Pricetag]

These were not TPD bikes. It was a private security detail. I can't remember the last time I saw TPD escorting a funeral procession.

[rekamrettuB]

Why do you hate dead people?

[jumperstop]

Why do you hate dead people?

Cause they have no feelings.

[Penguin]

I've seen cars in opposing lanes on an Interstate pull over, for emergency vehicles as well as funerals. Seriously.


I can't tell you how much it pisses me off when people freak out around emergency vehicles. Good God! If you are not directly blocking the vehicle, go about your business and drive normally!!!!!!! :mad:

[Sooner_Tuf]

How is this not illegal?

It is probably is illegal.

[IndySooner]

I can't tell you how much it pisses me off when people freak out around emergency vehicles. Good God! If you are not directly blocking the vehicle, go about your business and drive normally!!!!!!! :mad:

The law says that you pull over for emergency vehicles. Period.

[mgsooner]

The law says that you pull over for emergency vehicles. Period.

Here is what I was speaking about:

-You're driving down I-44, with a large concrete divider in the middle, and an ambulance is traveling West. Cars that are traveling EAST see the ambulance and slow down/pull over, as if the ambulance is going to miraculously do a spinning 360 in the air, over the concrete divider, and start traveling East.

[IndySooner]

Here is what I was speaking about:

-You're driving down I-44, with a large concrete divider in the middle, and an ambulance is traveling West. Cars that are traveling EAST see the ambulance and slow down/pull over, as if the ambulance is going to miraculously do a spinning 360 in the air, over the concrete divider, and start traveling East.

Now THAT is ridiculous! 100% agree with you on that.

[mgsooner]

I actually saw cars doing that, no lie.

[BU BEAR]

Unless it looks like a soldier's funeral, I say speed ahead. I really do not see the perceived slight as long as you do not cause traffic problems for the procession.

[Sooner24]

When my brother, who was a Norman PD Sergeant, died they had his funeral at the Lloyd Noble Center and his burial in Ardmore. After the service the OHP gave us an escort to Ardmore and the motorcycle officers went on ahead and blocked the entrance to the Interstate. After we would pass the entrance ramp they would going flying by us blocked the next one all the way to Ardmore.