Road Guards

[kah11200]

Found this in my local newspaper. Interesting article regarding non-police road guards for group rides.

Motorcycle clubs' use of road guards may be endangering lives | Your Commute | News from...

 

[Gorilla]

It's illegal in Florida. Lets look at this with some logic. If everon that was riding in a group were allowed to stop traffic to get their group through alot of people would start objecting. Like my car club has a grouop ride we should be able to stop traffic to get our group through. Then were does it end? In Florida only police and escorted funeral processions have a priorty. If your group puts a rider out to stop traffic they could be ticketed for impeding traffic. If you only block one lane of a 2 lane same direction roadway you might not be ticketed, but both lanes or an intersection you will bet a ticket.

 

[kah11200]

I agree that it is a bad idea for anyone other than the police to stop traffic, except in an emergency. I have never been on a group rides being a new riders but I would imagine that when riding in a large group, smaller groups get through the lights and then everyone gets back together down the road to reform the larger group.

Was just wondering what other experienced riders thoughts were.

 

[Spur]

Our club does not use them because of they simply have no authority to stop traffic, and you are risking a road rage incident with some jerk. However, when we have ridden with large groups that do use them, it is sure neat to roll thru the intersections and stay together.

 

[berngren]

I have been road guarding for 25 years when I lived in NY. I ride with the Blue Knights Law Enforcement club. Let me tell you that in most states it's illegal for citizens to obstruct traffic at control intersections. (lights or signs) Usually, the only time citizens can direct traffic is in an emergency situation. Even as a LEO, you have to get permission from each city or town jurisdictions that you are riding through to control traffic. Even though you may have police powers through out a state, local jurisdiction takes precedent. It is a practice to inform local agencies of event taking place so that they provide assistance. Some agencies may assist, and others may not. I know from experience that this is the case. Usually, big charities rides they will assist. A lot of times, the local agencies prefer us to be in uniform when we get permission to stop traffic with there assistance. The article that I read above the road guard was wrong because #1 he's not an LEO nor was the local agency informed. Usually the purpose of a road guard is keep the group in a safe formation. Road guards can be used assisting LEO when asked. That job entails blocking traffic after being stopped by the LEO. I rode a 1993 GW with siren and lights. (Code 3 package) Unless I was authorized by local authorities I would not stop traffic. Even being off duty you just don't stop traffic because you carry a badge. I know this also from experience. The best tool is to inform local authorities of an event, and usually they will work with you. I'm sorry things turned out the way they did in the above article. If any one is road guarding for an event, inform the local agency of all the towns that you will be traveling through. This is the best way to ensure that you will get assistance and have a safe ride.

 

[Blondie Gal]

Good info, Bernie!! Thanks!!