Complaint Review: Winkenhofer Pineridge Funeral Home Georgia Motor Escorts Kennesaw

Complaint about Georgia Motor Escorts and Winkenhofer Funeral Home

On 2//6/14 at 2:30 p.m. I exited my subdivision onto Mack Dobbs Road heading toward Cobb Parkway.

I immediately saw a motorcycle coming toward me in my own lane with a uniformed man riding with his left arm pointing towards the verge of the road.

I saw it was an escort for a funeral procession and stopped my vehicle.

The motorcycle officer swerved back into his own lane at the last minute and when passing me hit my driver side rear view mirror with his left arm, knocking it out of alignment and continuing on without stopping. It seemed obvious that this was done on purpose.

I am well aware of O.C.G.A. § 40-6-76 (2013) which covers funeral escorts. (see below for full text of the law) and I don't see any exemption therein for thuggish behavior by escorts or any allowance for them to damage private property of other motorists either on purpose or by their reckless driving.

Inquiries revealed that this funeral escort was for Mr Pete Guy, going from the Winkenhofer Pineridge Funeral Home, 2950 North Cobb Pkwy, Kennesaw to Paulding Memorial Gardens in Hirman, Georgia.

The escort was from Georgia Motor Escorts (678 773 0922)

My complaint is:

1) the escort had no valid reason to be driving in the wrong lane on Mack Dobbs Road, and

2) the escort delibertly used his arm to hit my rear view mirror and knock it out of alignment

Contact with the funeral home was unproductive, they seem entirely supportive of the behavior of their rented escorts.

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Below is the Georgia Code covering such escorts:

Georgia Motor Escorts 678 773 0922
TITLE 40. MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
CHAPTER 6. UNIFORM RULES OF THE ROAD
ARTICLE 4. RIGHT OF WAY

O.C.G.A. § 40-6-76 (2013)

§ 40-6-76. Funeral processions
(a) As used in this Code section, a "funeral procession" means an array of motor vehicles in which the lead vehicle displays a sign, pennant, flag, or other insignia furnished by a funeral home indicating a funeral procession unless led by a state or local law enforcement vehicle and each vehicle participating in the funeral procession is operating its headlights.

(b) Funeral processions shall have the right of way at intersections subject to the following conditions and exceptions:

(1) Operators of vehicles in a funeral procession shall yield the right of way upon the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle or law enforcement vehicle giving an audible and visual signal; and

(2) Operators of vehicles in a funeral procession shall yield the right of way when directed to do so by a traffic officer.

(c) Funeral processions escorted by the police, a sheriff, or a sheriff's deputy shall have the right of way in any street or highway through which they may pass. Local governments may, by ordinance, provide for such escort service and provide for the imposition of reasonable fees to defray the cost of such service.

(d) The operator of a vehicle not in a funeral procession shall not interrupt a funeral procession except when authorized to do so by a traffic officer or when such vehicle is an authorized emergency vehicle or law enforcement vehicle giving an audible and visual signal.

(e) Operators of vehicles not a part of a funeral procession shall not join a funeral procession by operating their headlights for the purpose of securing the right of way granted by this Code section to funeral processions.

(f) The operator of a vehicle not in a funeral procession shall not attempt to pass vehicles in a funeral procession on a two-lane highway.

(g) Any person violating subsection (d), (e), or (f) of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $100.00.

(h) Any law enforcement officer who is directing or escorting a funeral procession in this state, whether such service is provided while on duty or not, shall enjoy the same immunities from liability as the officer possesses while in the performance of other official duties.