The Patriot Guard Riders here in El Paso, and elsewhere, have a simple mission.

Basically, they wish to escort the funeral processions of past and present members of the US military to honor them and to assist, if necessary, in keeping anyone wishing to disrupt those services away. Typically, especially in areas like El Paso with strong military ties, their mission is accomplished without incident.

Some escorts have been injured by inconsiderate or inattentive drivers though and, in 2012, the state of Oklahoma passed "The Patriot Guard Funeral Procession Act" to:

“prohibit a driver of a motor vehicle to drive between the vehicles comprising a funeral or other authorized procession while the vehicles are in motion.  This provision shall not apply at intersections where traffic is controlled by traffic control signals or police officers.”

People need to slow down and respect passing funerals anyway. Period. If a law like this helps drive that point home though, I'm all for it. How about you?

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