Funeral Processions: Do they have to stop at red lights?

[timswim78]

I think that common courtesy should override ones need to get somewhere a few minutes faster.

 

[Mayfriday0529]

Originally posted by: Led Zeppelin
So, I'm out getting a bite to eat when I come to a red light. I'm second in line, so not really paying too much attention to the crossing traffic as there was a truck in front of me. So, our light turns green, the truck goes, and all of a sudden he slams his brakes on and just barely avoided a car that ran the red light that was in a funeral procession. I was far enough back that I avoided rear-ending the truck, but I also had to slam on my brakes. The kicker is, the idiots in the procession had the nerve to blare their horns at us, like WE were at fault!!!! Correct me if I'm wrong, but If I recall correctly, funeral processions have no special rules of the road, and are required to obey all traffic laws.
There had to be at least 50+ cars in this line, so there was no way I was going to be "courteous" and let them go, especially when I'm in the middle of the intersection.

We did that when my grandfather was laid to rest, but we had a couple of police officers in motorcycles, escorting

 

[timswim78]

By the way, if you live in Iowa, you would be in the wrong:

http://www.legis.state.ia.us/IACODE/1999/321/324A.html

321.324A Funeral processions.

1. For purposes of this section, "funeral procession" means a procession of motor vehicles accompanying the body of a deceased person during daylight hours which is being escorted by a vehicle continually displaying its emergency signal lamps flashing simultaneously and using lighted head lamps and identifying flags, and keeping all other motor vehicles with lighted head lamps in close formation.

2. Upon the immediate approach of a funeral procession, the driver of every other vehicle, except an authorized emergency vehicle, shall yield the right-of-way. An operator of a motor vehicle which is part of a funeral procession shall not be charged with violating traffic rules and regulations relating to traffic signals and devices while participating in the procession unless the operation is reckless.

3. The funeral home in charge of the funeral procession is liable only in connection with the procession for any negligent, reckless, or intentional act by the funeral home or any employee or agent of the funeral home that results in any death, personal injury or property damage suffered during a funeral procession.
Section History: Recent form

94 Acts, ch 1139, §1

 

[Blayze]

The ones that I have been in the past few years all had police at red lights and we didn't stop. Also almost all people would slow down or pull off the road. You will always have a few rude people that don't care and try to cut in front of you or pass you.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: yellowfiero
If you're in Michigan, they DO have the right of way:

257.654 A funeral procession has the right of way over every other vehicle, except emergency vehicles.

http://lab.oit.cmich.edu/raistlinjones/driving-laws/michigan/

yup,
i remeber that being a part of the drivers test also. Also if the first one goes thru and the light turns red, all of the procession has the right of way. Same for the stop signs. They all have to be marked with orange flags though and the first and last cars have two flags to mark the end of the procession.

I'm willing to bet your state has a similar law...

 

[natto fire]

Oh, and while we are all posting laws might as well point out it IS a law in my state...

ORC

Site uses frames, from Ohio Revised Code:

[§ 4511.45.1] § 4511.451. Funeral procession has right of way.





(A) As used in this section "funeral procession" means two or more vehicles accompanying a body of a deceased person in the daytime when each of such vehicles has its headlights lighted and is displaying a purple and white pennant attached to each vehicle in such a manner as to be clearly visible to traffic approaching from any direction.




(B) Excepting public safety vehicles proceeding in accordance with section 4511.45 of the Revised Code or when directed otherwise by a police officer, pedestrians and the operators of all vehicles, street cars, and trackless trolleys shall yield the right of way to each vehicle which is a part of a funeral procession. Whenever the lead vehicle in a funeral procession lawfully enters an intersection the remainder of the vehicles in such procession may continue to follow such lead vehicle through the intersection notwithstanding any traffic control devices or right of way provisions of the Revised Code, provided the operator of each vehicle exercises due care to avoid colliding with any other vehicle or pedestrian upon the roadway.





No person shall operate any vehicle as a part of a funeral procession without having the headlights of such vehicle lighted and without displaying a purple and white pennant in such a manner as to be clearly visible to traffic approaching from any direction.




(C) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.





HISTORY: 126 v 632 (Eff 1-1-56); 132 v H 878 (Eff 12-14-67); 149 v H 322. Eff 4-7-2003; 149 v S 123, § 1, eff. 1-1-04.

 

[Malak]

Originally posted by: Specop 007

Originally posted by: Malak

Originally posted by: Captain Howdy
OMG, you just get your license? Or are you really that dumb. I was told there was a time (when people were more respectful) that people would pull over to let them go by as you are supposed to do with emergency vehicles. (You did know you have to pull over for emergency vehicles right?)

It's a goddamn dead body! Who the hell cares? It's absolutely fundamentally wrong to give them right of way, especially with this as an example. Do we want more dead bodies? Making the roads less safe is stupid.

Some day that dead body will be your mom, or dad, or sister.
Then lets see the tune you sing.

I'll sing the same tune, I don't think you are understanding me. It's a DEAD BODY. It's just an empty husk and it isn't going anywhere anytime soon. I'd rather have safe roads than have to worry everytime there's a funeral.

 

[DrPizza]

what kind of moron goes from stopped to entering an intersection when there is traffic still flowing through, regardless of whether it's a funeral or not. Nice defensive driving on the part of the person in the truck. Only an idiot or a very careless driver would start without looking both ways.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: Malak

Originally posted by: Specop 007

Originally posted by: Malak

Originally posted by: Captain Howdy
OMG, you just get your license? Or are you really that dumb. I was told there was a time (when people were more respectful) that people would pull over to let them go by as you are supposed to do with emergency vehicles. (You did know you have to pull over for emergency vehicles right?)

It's a goddamn dead body! Who the hell cares? It's absolutely fundamentally wrong to give them right of way, especially with this as an example. Do we want more dead bodies? Making the roads less safe is stupid.

Some day that dead body will be your mom, or dad, or sister.
Then lets see the tune you sing.

I'll sing the same tune, I don't think you are understanding me. It's a DEAD BODY. It's just an empty husk and it isn't going anywhere anytime soon. I'd rather have safe roads than have to worry everytime there's a funeral.

Regardless,
If there's a law saying that funeral processions have the right of way, you're supposed to yield.

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: Malak

Originally posted by: Specop 007

Originally posted by: Malak

Originally posted by: Captain Howdy
OMG, you just get your license? Or are you really that dumb. I was told there was a time (when people were more respectful) that people would pull over to let them go by as you are supposed to do with emergency vehicles. (You did know you have to pull over for emergency vehicles right?)

It's a goddamn dead body! Who the hell cares? It's absolutely fundamentally wrong to give them right of way, especially with this as an example. Do we want more dead bodies? Making the roads less safe is stupid.

Some day that dead body will be your mom, or dad, or sister.
Then lets see the tune you sing.

I'll sing the same tune, I don't think you are understanding me. It's a DEAD BODY. It's just an empty husk and it isn't going anywhere anytime soon. I'd rather have safe roads than have to worry everytime there's a funeral.

It is not just a DEAD BODY. A funeral procession has potentially hundreds of mourners who are said about losing a relative or friend. The least you can do is give them a little respect and let them get up the road.

Your safe roads argument is just ridiculous. If other drives would obey the laws that are in place and yield to funeral processions, things would be a lot safer for everyone.

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
what kind of moron goes from stopped to entering an intersection when there is traffic still flowing through, regardless of whether it's a funeral or not. Nice defensive driving on the part of the person in the truck. Only an idiot or a very careless driver would start without looking both ways.

I agree with you.

Also, this thread exemplifies the pervasive, juvenille attitudes of many of the members of this board.

 

[Vinfinite]

Well I'm only 19 and I would still definitely agree that funeral processions should definitely be given the right of way, i mean its the respectable thing to do.

 

[GimpyOne]

I think the bigger problem here is that people do NOT pay attention to what is going on around them while driving further than the bumer in front of them.

If the OP had been paying attention he should have seen it was a funeral procession and not had any difficulty. Watching the intersection ahead of you, with it just being 1 vehicle is not difficult. But as it is, he merely watched for the bumper in front of him to move and than did so himself. Great driving OP! :roll:

People no longer drive their vehicles, they aim them. If you don't understand you are the problem with US traffic today.

 

[Specop 007]

Originally posted by: Malak

Originally posted by: Specop 007

Originally posted by: Malak

Originally posted by: Captain Howdy
OMG, you just get your license? Or are you really that dumb. I was told there was a time (when people were more respectful) that people would pull over to let them go by as you are supposed to do with emergency vehicles. (You did know you have to pull over for emergency vehicles right?)

It's a goddamn dead body! Who the hell cares? It's absolutely fundamentally wrong to give them right of way, especially with this as an example. Do we want more dead bodies? Making the roads less safe is stupid.

Some day that dead body will be your mom, or dad, or sister.
Then lets see the tune you sing.

I'll sing the same tune, I don't think you are understanding me. It's a DEAD BODY. It's just an empty husk and it isn't going anywhere anytime soon. I'd rather have safe roads than have to worry everytime there's a funeral.

One thing is for certain.
Time will tell. Chances are, if you havent yet, you will end up burying one and most likely both parents.
Then we'll see if you have such a nonchalant attitude when its your parents dead, rotting and worthless husk leading the procession.

 

[Led Zeppelin]

Originally posted by: timswim78

Originally posted by: DrPizza
what kind of moron goes from stopped to entering an intersection when there is traffic still flowing through, regardless of whether it's a funeral or not. Nice defensive driving on the part of the person in the truck. Only an idiot or a very careless driver would start without looking both ways.

I agree with you.

Also, this thread exemplifies the pervasive, juvenille attitudes of many of the members of this board.

And the lack of courteous drivers. 😛

 

[Led Zeppelin]

Originally posted by: GimpyOne
I think the bigger problem here is that people do NOT pay attention to what is going on around them while driving further than the bumer in front of them.

If the OP had been paying attention he should have seen it was a funeral procession and not had any difficulty. Watching the intersection ahead of you, with it just being 1 vehicle is not difficult. But as it is, he merely watched for the bumper in front of him to move and than did so himself. Great driving OP! :roll:

People no longer drive their vehicles, they aim them. If you don't understand you are the problem with US traffic today.

Actually, I was eating my sandwich, talking on the cell, and shaving my face. The bumper was just a mere distraction.

 

[Ime]

Where I was born and raised you pulled over and gave right of way to the funeral procession. It's not about respect of the dead, it's about respect of the living namely the mourners.

 

[Mill]

I always stop for processions. You've got to be a real jerk not to.

 

[GimpyOne]

Originally posted by: Led Zeppelin

Originally posted by: GimpyOne
I think the bigger problem here is that people do NOT pay attention to what is going on around them while driving further than the bumer in front of them.

If the OP had been paying attention he should have seen it was a funeral procession and not had any difficulty. Watching the intersection ahead of you, with it just being 1 vehicle is not difficult. But as it is, he merely watched for the bumper in front of him to move and than did so himself. Great driving OP! :roll:

People no longer drive their vehicles, they aim them. If you don't understand you are the problem with US traffic today.

Actually, I was eating my sandwich, talking on the cell, and shaving my face. The bumper was just a mere distraction.

Wow, just wow.

 

[Stojakapimp]

I think they should only be able to go through red lights if a police escort is there. Seems like running through red lights would just cause a lot of problems.

 

[cruiser1338]

Costing lives to respect a dead person is just plain dumb.

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: cruiser1338
Costing lives to respect a dead person is just plain dumb.

How does yielding the right of way to a funeral procession cost lives? If you are obeying the traffic laws, you will have no problem safely getting out of the way.

 

[Led Zeppelin]

Originally posted by: timswim78

Originally posted by: cruiser1338
Costing lives to respect a dead person is just plain dumb.

How does yielding the right of way to a funeral procession cost lives? If you are obeying the traffic laws, you will have no problem safely getting out of the way.

Getting out of the way so they can break the traffic laws, yeah, that make sense. 😉

 

[cruiser1338]

As far as I read at the start of the thread it has cost lives, and Funeral processions have no special dispensation from the rules of the road. Sure, if you pay attention, you'll be fine, but if you don't realize it is a procession like the OP and others, then what can you do? Crash, someone else dies to respect an already dead person!!! Then, in their procession it happens again! And so on. Maybe not as exaggerated, but it's senseless.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Led Zeppelin

Getting out of the way so they can break the traffic laws, yeah, that make sense. 😉

Are you slow or something? In many states they are not breaking traffic laws. By not getting out of the way, you would be the one breaking the traffic laws. It's a good thing we don't have many funeral processions around here, because most people here don't even get out of the way for emergency vehicles!