This afternoon I was heading south on Route 47 from Woodstock, when traffic stopped. Cars in front of me were stopping in the traffic lane and partially on the shoulder. Down the road, northbound, I could see some flashing lights and then I heard a siren.
Was it a deputy enroute to an emergency? Was it an ambulance headed to the hospital?
No, it was a deputy in a McHenry County Sheriff's Department squad car (583) leading what looked like a parade of motorcycles. Emergency lights and the siren of the squad car were in use, and that's why southbound traffic stopped. As the parade passed the stopped cars, many motorcyclists honked their horns.
Toward the rear of the pack one smaller motorcycle (perhaps a 750cc) had a windshield behind which there was a flashing red light mounted about halfway toward the top of its windshield.
I called the sheriff's department and left a message for the shift supervisor. About 30 minutes later Sgt. Campos-Cruz called me back. Sgt. Cruz explained that the group was a Warriors Watch (or group of similar name and purpose) that had requested a police escort for the member of the military returning from overseas. The deputy had met then at the McHenry County line and was escorting them northbound.
I wasn't at all interested in the part of the explanation that they provide escorts for funeral processions or honor guards for the bodies of fallen soldiers. That was not today's convoy. Today it was a squad car leading a bunch of motorcycles.
I know of nothing in the Illinois Vehicle Code that grants authority for such use of red lights and sirens. The only reason they do it is because they can do it and get away with it. I was certain that the deputy was not acting on his own. Someone with authority had approved it.
After all, who is going to stop them and write a ticket? There was even a Woodstock police car stopped in a driveway south of Cobblestone Way; perhaps that car was waiting to escort them through Woodstock.
There was just a serious accident on Greenwood Road last Wednesday. What's going to happen if there is a serious crash involving such a convoy?
Emergency lights and sirens have a specific purpose. They are to be used for emergencies. Leading a parade of motorcycles is not an emergency! The command personnel at the sheriff's department should have the courage to refuse such escort requests and explain to anyone asking for such escort that there is no authority in the State law to "light up" for such a convoy.
What, for example, happens when a traffic light turns red on the group? While a funeral can proceed (safely) against a red light or stop sign, a celebration/convoy cannot. Do they stop? Probably not.
I am not anti-military. I am not anti-American. I am anti-law-breaking. This must stop!
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9 comments:
So by your logic the police and fire departments are no longer to use their lights and sirens at parades? What about the ones on the square, do you ever complain about those you anti-American?
Hans, please consider this difference.
In a parade there is no oncoming or cross-traffic. The emergency vehicles in a parade are not cruising down a highway at 50MPH, causing oncoming traffic to head for the shoulder and stop.
Actually, I have objected to the ear-splitting, hearing-damaging electronic sirens used for other than very short blasts.
It's not anti-American to want to hear the Star-Spangled Banner the next time it's played.
Gussy writes~ "I know of nothing in the Illinois Vehicle Code that grants authority for such use of red lights and sirens."
You don't know anything that prohibits such use either!
The IVC or any law for that matter doesn't say when you can do something!!! The laws say when you CAN'T do something!
OK, Frank. For starters, read the IVC on Two-Way Left-Turn Lanes, and you'll see that the "law" tells you what you CAN do; i.e., turn out of OR INTO the lane.
Care to amend your statement?
He'll amend his statement as soon as you fix the typo on your campaign signs.
You know, JOHN, I am appreciative of the effort that a family made to support me, even if the printer spelled a word wrong.
As misguided as it maybe.
You are just mad that there will be no flashing lights and sirens to honor you at any time in your life (or when you die).
Live long and prosper. And may you have many bright lights and sirens in your rearview mirror. No warnings, either.
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