Laws for Funeral Processions

[SuperiorDG]

So I was stopped in the left turn lane the other day as a funeral procession went by to the left of me (coming at me in the on coming lane of traffic). I was not at a light, just sitting in the legal separate turn lane. Probably 3/4 of the procession had pasted including serval escort cars, who moved over into the line of the procession to get by me. The escort cars all had their red and blue lights flashing. The last escort car pulls up face to face with me and the dude starts yelling at me to get out of his way. I'm thinking "who are you to yell at me", but I did move for the ass hat.

I did some looking and found out that in Colorado a funeral procession has no right of way and have to obey all traffic laws just as anyone else (except in Denver where they can go through red light if they have already entered the intersection). I also remember reading that only emergency vehicles (police, fire, rescue) can use red and blue lights. From what I remember one can be ticked for have those colors. So what gives? Are these guys breaking the law? It seems to me that they are ignoring the law and relying on the ignorance of the general public that see them as "emergency vehicles."

Rant over.

[mattiooo]

There is nothing about the lights, but:
http://codes.findlaw.com/co/title-18-criminal-code/co-rev-st-sect-18-9-107.html


Subsection 3: .....or knowingly obstructing a highway or other passageway where a funeral procession is taking place is a class 2 misdemeanor.

[SuperiorDG]

238. Blue and red lights - illegal use or possession.
(1) A person shall not be in actual physical control of a vehicle, except an authorized emergency vehicle as defined in section 42-1-102 (6), that the person knows contains a lamp or device that is designed to display, or that is capable of displaying if affixed or attached to the vehicle, a red or blue light visible directly in front of the center of the vehicle.
(2) It shall be an affirmative defense that the defendant was:
(a) A peace officer as described in section 16-2.5-101, C.R.S.; or
(b) In actual physical control of a vehicle expressly authorized by a chief of police or sheriff to
contain a lamp or device that is designed to display, or that is capable of displaying if affixed or attached to the vehicle, a red or blue light visible from directly in front of the center of the vehicle; or
(c) A member of a volunteer fire department or a volunteer ambulance service who possesses a permit from the fire chief of the fire department or chief executive officer of the ambulance service through which the volunteer serves to operate a vehicle pursuant to section 222 (1) (b); or
(d) A vendor who exhibits, sells, or offers for sale a lamp or device designed to display, or that is capable of displaying, if affixed or attached to the vehicle, a red or blue light; or
(e) A collector of fire engines, fire suppression vehicles, or ambulances and the vehicle to which the red or blue lamps were affixed is valued for the vehicle’s historical interest or as a collector’s item.
(3) A violation of this section is a class 1 misdemeanor.

[hollohas]

I had a fairly major accident in 2010'ish due to the same sort of BS.

I was traveling east on 285 in the 50 mph zone approaching Knox. The entire approach to the light at Knox my light was green. There are at least 7 lanes between the east and westbound lanes. The lead car in a funeral procession traveling south on Knox decided to run her redlight, enter the intersection, cross all 7 lanes in an attempt to stop all traffic east and west on 285. Into 50 mph traffic. I didn't get stopped safely. The B rent-a-cop accused me of not paying attention.

The only officer to show up was outside his jurisdiction. He said if he could, he'd write her a ticket in a heartbeat as it was her fault. No LE of that jurisdiction ever showed up after waiting an hour and a half even though my wife went to the ER in an ambulance. My phone calls to the police in the days to follow were simply blown off. Not wanting to investigate, they said it was my fault and to drop it.

The entire thing still fires me up that some POS wannabe with flashing lights and a fake badge had the gall to to me what she did was legal and the accident was my fault.

Every witness agreed she was the cause of the accident.

I also read every law I could and never found anything saying it was legal.

You were more kind than I would have been.

[hollohas]

There is nothing about the lights, but:
http://codes.findlaw.com/co/title-18-criminal-code/co-rev-st-sect-18-9-107.html


Subsection 3: .....or knowingly obstructing a highway or other passageway where a funeral procession is taking place is a class 2 misdemeanor.I'm not sure sitting in a turn lane in the opposite direction of travel of the procession could be considered "knowingly obstructing"...

[mattiooo]

I'm not sure sitting in a turn lane in the opposite direction of travel of the procession could be considered "knowingly obstructing"...

I'm not saying the OP was wrong or in violation of any law. Just pointing out there is a law regarding funeral processions.

From what he's described, it sounds like the escort cars were illegally driving in the turning lane in order to be at the side of the procession, rather than in it. I'm assuming this was one of those middle lanes that is a turn lane for both sides of traffic.

Also, are we sure the escort cars weren't unmarked police cars?

[SuperiorDG]

I'm not saying the OP was wrong or in violation of any law. Just pointing out there is a law regarding funeral processions.

From what he's described, it sounds like the escort cars were illegally driving in the turning lane in order to be at the side of the procession, rather than in it. I'm assuming this was one of those middle lanes that is a turn lane for both sides of traffic. Correct

Also, are we sure the escort cars weren't unmarked police cars? It was not, as well as the others that were blocking intersections along the rout

This is something I found as well.

COLORADO: There are no state laws governing funeral processions, however, Denver Revised Municipal Code, § 517 provides that vehicles and escorts in a funeral procession have the right-of-way and may proceed regardless of traffic signals. These vehicles must be properly identified by lighted headlamps and drivers must follow the vehicle ahead of them as close as is practicable for safe operation. Even though funeral processions have the right-of-way, there must be actual or constructive notice to other drivers that such a procession is present. Franklin v. Nolan, 472 P.2d 166 (Colo. App. 1970).

http://www.claimsjournal.com/news/national/2014/07/03/251323.htm

[SuperiorDG]

I had a fairly major accident in 2010'ish due to the same sort of BS.

I was traveling east on 285 in the 50 mph zone approaching Knox. The entire approach to the light at Knox my light was green. There are at least 7 lanes between the east and westbound lanes. The lead car in a funeral procession traveling south on Knox decided to run her redlight, enter the intersection, cross all 7 lanes in an attempt to stop all traffic east and west on 285. Into 50 mph traffic. I didn't get stopped safely. The B rent-a-cop accused me of not paying attention.

The only officer to show up was outside his jurisdiction. He said if he could, he'd write her a ticket in a heartbeat as it was her fault. No LE of that jurisdiction ever showed up after waiting an hour and a half even though my wife went to the ER in an ambulance. My phone calls to the police in the days to follow were simply blown off. Not wanting to investigate, they said it was my fault and to drop it.

The entire thing still fires me up that some POS wannabe with flashing lights and a fake badge had the gall to to me what she did was legal and the accident was my fault.

Every witness agreed she was the cause of the accident.

I also read every law I could and never found anything saying it was legal.

You were more kind than I would have been.

I would doubt an actual emergency vehicle would proceed into an intersection like that. I guess that is because they are trained. These wannabes probably have no such training.

[OtterbatHellcat]

Well, this doesn't bode well...

http://www.cofda.org/news/1527068

Senate Bill 170, entitled "CONCERNING THE AUTHORITY OF A VEHICLE THAT IS BEING USED TO ESCORT A FUNERAL," expands the statutory definition of "authorized emergency vehicle" to include privately owned vehicles that are designated as such by the state motor vehicle licensing agency for the limited purpose of escorting funeral processions while the vehicle is being used for this purpose. A copy of this bill can be found online at http://www.cofda.org/legislativeefforts



I've seen these idiot "escorts" do some pretty stupid shit. On motorcycles no less.

[SuperiorDG]

Well, this doesn't bode well...

http://www.cofda.org/news/1527068

Senate Bill 170, entitled "CONCERNING THE AUTHORITY OF A VEHICLE THAT IS BEING USED TO ESCORT A FUNERAL," expands the statutory definition of "authorized emergency vehicle" to include privately owned vehicles that are designated as such by the state motor vehicle licensing agency for the limited purpose of escorting funeral processions while the vehicle is being used for this purpose. A copy of this bill can be found online at http://www.cofda.org/legislativeefforts



I've seen these idiot "escorts" do some pretty stupid shit. On motorcycles no less.

Good info. Looks like it has yet to pass. I hope it stays that way.

[copfish]

I see the same thing in Pueblo by a security company that does funeral escorts. Really burns my ass...

[cstone]

I've never understood the need for haste to get to a cemetery. By the time you are in the back of a hearse, you have no more need for emergency vehicles. I also think the hearse should be the last vehicle in any procession. It will be the last time anyone is waiting for you to show up.

Be safe.

[Great-Kazoo]

I've never understood the need for haste to get to a cemetery. By the time you are in the back of a hearse, you have no more need for emergency vehicles. I also think the hearse should be the last vehicle in any procession. It will be the last time anyone is waiting for you to show up.

Be safe.

Ah. The Old Late for His Own Funeral play.

[Aloha_Shooter]

I don't think the concern is so much haste to get to the cemetery as keeping the procession together rather than having all the mourners broken up by traffic and arriving in scattered groups. Regardless, those organizing funeral processions should be cognizant of how they are imposing on the general public.

It reminds me a bit of a story I was told when I was in DC: when Reagan took office, he was flown via helicopter to the Pentagon for his first national security briefing. He was amazed at the lack of traffic below and asked if that was normal; on being told, "no sir, we cleared and blocked traffic for you," he said that wasn't going to happen again and all future briefers would come to the White House rather than mess up traffic for the public.

I don't know if the story is true or not but it certainly fit with Reagan's concern for the common man (as opposed to Slick Willie shutting down the runways at LAX for 45 minutes while he had a haircut or closing HNL for an hour while his limo was being flown from Hickam to Waikiki).

[SuperiorDG]

I don't think the concern is so much haste to get to the cemetery as keeping the procession together rather than having all the mourners broken up by traffic and arriving in scattered groups. Regardless, those organizing funeral processions should be cognizant of how they are imposing on the general public.

After looking into the "Senate Bill 170, entitled "CONCERNING THE AUTHORITY OF A VEHICLE THAT IS BEING USED TO ESCORT A FUNERAL," that Otterbatcat brought to light I now think it is more about the profits the Funeral industry is getting for these escorts. As quoted in the bill, "Without permits, escort firms cannot remain in business and funeral establishments will no longer be able to utilize these services to lead funeral processions." So basically the general public's time and convenience is of a secondary concern to there business's bottom line. I would bet the charge a bundle for those escorts.

[Rumline]

while his limo was being flown from Hickam to Waikiki).
WTF? They helicoptered a limo 10 miles?

[Aloha_Shooter]

Just saw this story and thought it was apropos: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/07/11/soldier-salutes-funeral-procession-in-pouring-rain.html

http://a57.foxnews.com/images.foxnews.com/content/fox-news/us/2017/07/11/soldier-salutes-funeral-procession-in-pouring-rain/_jcr_content/par/featured_image/media-0.img.jpg/876/493/1499713321146.jpg?ve=1&tl=1

Of course, different state, different laws:


Kentucky law states that funeral processions have the right-of-way at intersections when accompanied by an escort.

[hollohas]

What's the legal definition of "right-of-way"? Does it simply mean you have to move over for vehicles with the right of way and let them pass, etc? Or does it mean vehicles can break any traffic law they want including driving into oncoming traffic or running red lights? Legit question.

[Aloha_Shooter]

WTF? They helicoptered a limo 10 miles?

Apparently so. My parents had been shopping at the commissary before coming to pick me up at the airport (they didn't know all air traffic into HNL were doing donuts at the time) and they said the base gates were closed while the helo was flying the limo. They said Clinton was already in Waikiki and they were told it was just the limo on the helo.

[earplug]

Never live near a cemetery or a road that services one. Made that mistake when stationed at Fort Benning GA.