Was I wrong?

[Black88GTA]

Yesterday on my way back from lunch, I was stopped at a red light. I was in front. I see a hearse go by in front of me, didn't think anything of it. A minute or two later, the light changes, I wait a second and then start moving...and see someone hit his brakes hard (where they should have been stopping for the light). I figure it's just some douche trying to run the light (happens often in NY) and go in front of him.

I then look in my rearview mirror, and see the rest of the traffic stopped where they were and cars continuing across, blowing through the red . I remembered seeing the hearse a couple minutes back, and figured that it must be a funeral procession (there's a lot of cemeteries in the area).

Now here's the thing. None of the cars were using their flashers, none had flags on them, etc. They all just looked like normal traffic! Had I known it was a procession, I would certainly not have gone through it. Every other FP I have seen has had some sort of designation to signify to other traffic what was going on.

Was I wrong in going through? Or were they negligent in not using some sort of signal to other traffic that they were part of a funeral procession? Who would have been at fault if there was an accident?

Your thoughts?

 

[Rhin0]

A: You're going to hell.

 

[MrDudeMan]

you are fine. its illegal in some of the cities ive lived in to do that anymore. it causes too many traffic problems in big intersections because people dont know what to do. dont worry about it.

 

[Yossarian]

wtf, why can funeral processions ignore red lights? what's the emergency, the guy's already dead.

 

[amol]

Originally posted by: Rhin0
A: You're going to hell.

 

[Jassi]

If they didn't indicate that they were part of the procession, you are off the hook. Just be more careful so as to avoid any accidents around there.

 

[3chordcharlie]

I don't know about where you are - in Toronto I know funeral processions have to follow traffic laws unless they have a police escort.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Normally the cars will have lights on.

If you didn't notice or think anything of it, don't worry about it. I'm sure the stiff in the hearse isn't worried about it.

 

[Ikonomi]

Funeral processions, hm. They should have headlights, or since so many cars have DRLs, caution lights on.

BTW, the stupidest thing I ever saw was a funeral procession going 35 on the busiest freeway in the city. Stick to the surface streets.

 

[dethman]

normally they would have a motorcycle cop in the intersection who stops cross traffic. if there wasn't you should be fine.

 

[Black88GTA]

I don't know the traffic laws regarding funeral processions here. Come to think of it, the car that stopped did have his lights on - but it was a gloomy day. Almost everyone had their lights on.

To clarify, I started moving and then saw him hit his brakes. If he had showed no signs of stopping, I would not have gone any further - but there was no way I was letting some assbag through who was just trying to run a light (which is what I thought he was doing). I didn't realize that it ws a procession until after I'd gone though.

There were no cops or anything in the intersection - and this was around 1pm on a major thoroughfare (110, for you LI'ers). Right in the middle of lunch rush. There was heavy traffic everywhere. If anything, they could have at least timed it better.

 

[Malak]

Originally posted by: Yossarian
wtf, why can funeral processions ignore red lights? what's the emergency, the guy's already dead.

Yeah no joke.

 

[Heisenberg]

If they didn't have any kind of police escort, then you really didn't do anything wrong.

 

[sswingle]

If they didn't have flags or anything, theres no way to know if they were part of the procession or not. You were in the right.

 

[illustri]

i bet when the hearse slammed the brakes the corpse broke through the head of the coffin

good job, you ruined the open casket ceremony

 

[Schneider879]

Originally posted by: ScottSwingleComputers
If they didn't have flags or anything, theres no way to know if they were part of the procession or not. You were in the right.

 

[mercanucaribe]

You're going to get haunted hardcore.

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: malak

Originally posted by: Yossarian
wtf, why can funeral processions ignore red lights? what's the emergency, the guy's already dead.

Yeah no joke.

Have a little respect.

 

[GeekDrew]

Here in Ohio, non-processional motorists are requested to pull to the side of the road while the processional passes.

Also, as long as the first vehicle in a funeral procession enters an intersection legally, all remaining vehicles are permitted to continue through the intersection and disregard stop signs / lights.

I *believe* that the only exception to that is if there is a law enforcement officer or emergency vehicle that requires the use of the intersection, at which time the funeral procession must yield.

Oh, and this is *without* a police escort. Some law enforcement agency in Ohio (can't remember which one, probably the State Patrol) is currently having an argument about that... it's been in the news lately. Did you know that here in Ohio, funeral homes are also held immune if someone is injured or killed while driving in a procession led by them? lol

 

[Yossarian]

Originally posted by: n7

Originally posted by: malak

Originally posted by: Yossarian
wtf, why can funeral processions ignore red lights? what's the emergency, the guy's already dead.

Yeah no joke.

Have a little respect.

I would be interested in knowing how many accidents are caused by funeral processions going through red lights. when I have a green, I expect that no one is coming the other way (even though I check).

 

[Rock Hydra]

Originally posted by: n7

Originally posted by: malak

Originally posted by: Yossarian
wtf, why can funeral processions ignore red lights? what's the emergency, the guy's already dead.

Yeah no joke.

Have a little respect.

What give a funeral procession the right to ignore law?
Nobody else can.

 

[quakefiend420]

Originally posted by: Yossarian
wtf, why can funeral processions ignore red lights? what's the emergency, the guy's already dead.

LOL, i know, huh?

 

When I rode in my grandma's funeral procession in 1994, we had a police escort, and the officers stopped at every intersection to block off traffic. I'm thinking it's illegal to run the lights without one.

 

[xgsound]

Originally posted by: RockHydra11

Originally posted by: n7

Originally posted by: malak

Originally posted by: Yossarian
wtf, why can funeral processions ignore red lights? what's the emergency, the guy's already dead.

Yeah no joke.

Have a little respect.

What give a funeral procession the right to ignore law?
Nobody else can.

It's a lot of people from out of town that ; 1. don't know where they are going 2. are under emotional distress 3. The services are only held this one time 4. don't worry , everybody gets this "privilege" once.

Jim

 

[element]

Originally posted by: RockHydra11

Originally posted by: n7

Originally posted by: malak

Originally posted by: Yossarian
wtf, why can funeral processions ignore red lights? what's the emergency, the guy's already dead.

Yeah no joke.

Have a little respect.

What give a funeral procession the right to ignore law?
Nobody else can.

Cause that's how they get more stiffs.