Presidential motorcade following the inauguration of United States President George W. Bush, January 20, 2001

A motorcade is a procession of vehicles used to transport a very important person, usually a political figure. The procession consists of several vehicles, usually accompanied by law enforcement support and additional protection to ensure the safety of the people in the motorcade. Motorcades for presidents and heads of state consist of anywhere from four to six armored cars or SUVs, with police motorcycles and cars leading the way and following.

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Traffic diversions

Depending on the size of the motorcade and who it is carrying, routes may be completely blockaded from the general public.

Funeral processions

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When a person dies, the casket is carried by a hearse. Usually, the first cars after the hearse are a limousine or limousines that carry the deceased’s family members and pallbearers. After these are usually other family members and friends in their own cars. Some funeral home directors have Chevy Suburban or Ford Expedition vehicles like the Secret Service. Funeral home directors also block off streets in a manner similar to presidential motorcades. If the funeral is for a law enforcement officer or firefighter, the procession or motorcade may include police or firefighters. In police funeral motorcades, the motorcade can contain miles of police cars from surrounding jurisdictions. In firefighter motorcades, the casket is carried on an engine truck instead of a hearse.

President of the United States

Further information: Presidential State Car (United States)

The motorcade for the President of the United States comprises twenty to thirty vehicles; in addition to the president, the motorcade may carry his spouse, members of the press, security, White House officials, and VIP guests.

A police presence precedes the beginning of the presidential motorcade. These cars and motorcycles usually drive ahead to clear the way and block traffic.

The motorcade for the president is made up of two parts, the first being the “secure package”.

The second part is made up of vans that transport White House staff members and selected members of the press. In the rear is a communications van that records the president’s movements, an ambulance, and additional police vehicles.

Motorcade routes are selected by Secret Service agents in cooperation with local police forces. Escape routes are also established in the event of an emergency.

Other dignataries

Further information: Official state car

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When popes and royalty travel, they are accompanied by their security forces as well as local security forces. For example, if Queen Elizabeth II visited Cleveland, Ohio on a royal tour of the United States, security would be coordinated by the Secret Service, Scotland Yard, and the Cleveland Division of Police. When Pope Benedict XVI visited the U.S. in April 2008, his security was coordinated by the Swiss Guard, Secret Service, New York City Police Department, and Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia.

In the United States, many state governors have smaller motorcades maintained by their state police forces. For example, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland is protected by Ohio State Highway Patrol officers, while California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is protected by the California Highway Patrol. City mayors may also have some protection. In Cleveland, every mayor has a chauffeur. In Chicago, Mayor Richard M. Daley rides in city-owned limousine. His father Richard J. Daley rode in a Cadillac limousine. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has a security detail, but he is known to ride New York’s subway system, though accompanied by security.

Motorcade for the United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth II in Koblenz, Germany, 1964

Funeral motorcade for former United States President Ronald Reagan in Simi Valley, California, 2004

Funeral motorcade for former United States President Gerald Ford in Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2007

President George W. Bush’s motorcade leaving the tarmac at Tallinn Airport, Estonia, 2006

A motorcade leaving the White House comprising SUVs

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g “What is a Motorcade?”. WiseGeek.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-20.
  2. ^ Beam, Christopher (November 29, 2006). “What’s in a presidential motorcade?”, Slate.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-20. 
  3. ^ a b c d e Selingo, Jefferey (September 26, 2003). “Driving; Fed Up With Traffic? Get Behind the Wheel in a Motorcade”, The New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-05-20. 

External links

  • Detailed description of the motorcade of the President of the United States

Retrieved from “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcade”
Categories: VehiclesHidden category: Articles needing additional references from July 2008