Respect of Funeral Processions

[captain]

I was driving down the highway today and a funeral procession was coming towards me with a police escort and every driver (incuding myself) pulled over to the far right and came to a complete stop. Is this tradition that we have in Oklahoma honored all over the country or is this just something local to me?

 

[jefferycarman]

It is the traditional thing everywhere as far as I know. It's what I was taught out west.

 

[HT_USMC]

We do the same thing here in Texas (not to be outdone by anyone in Oklahoma of course).

Though I sometimes wonder if some people are pulling over because of the police car with the lights going only to realize after the fact that it's a funeral procession.

 

[Scar]

Everywhere I've been it's been the same, Cap. East Coast, West Coast, North and South. There are some however, who do not and it just shocks me.

It's what caused a recent accident about which I posted 'horrific' pics of on this very board.

Good man!

 

[fiend]

I have always done this. I am from OK too and to me it is respectful to pull over.

 

[BA BUSA]

It's the right thing to do

 

[MelodicMetalGod]

Well, this is the first I've heard of pulling over for a funeral procession or of a police escort for a funeral procession, so no, I've never pulled over.

I was taught that you didn't interupt a funeral procession - wait for them at stop lights, don't cut into the line, etc. But pulling over, especially for one headed in the opposite direction, no, unless they turn in front of you.

Of course, this is the DC Metro area - home to the Fed Gov't, some of the worst traffic in the ENTIRE country and we've got a TON of sleeze balls in the area that feel that they are better than everyone else in every situation and should always have priority, so it may just be that the general culture here is one that lacks courtesy and consideration for others. No argument from me on that concept.

 

[Ezduzit]

Same here in the Dirty South!

 

[Busa1166]

If it's a single lane road in each direction yeah I pull over an stop for the safety of the motormen escorts an of course the people in the procession. But if they on the highway I would fly by them in the far lane to get away from them unless the motormen have there hand out to signaling all traffic no passing of procession which they usually do not, they will take control of two lanes to the right and they hold the entrance ramps from anyone getting in the middle of it.If there is a 3rd lane they usually let traffic go by. Guess that makes me an asshat:unhappy:

 

[Aquaman]

Please dont get me going on this subject CAp. We burried my 42 yr old cousin who suffered a painful death from bone cancer 3 months ago. He was in such bad shape, only very few of my family even knew, cause he didn't want anyone to see him like this.
It was a huge funeral procession. We had every azzhole cutting into the line. I was pizzed off!
No need for that sh!t!

 

[rockadaous]

straight out of the N.C. study guide

The driver of a vehicle going in the opposite
direction as a funeral procession may yield to
the procession. If the driver chooses to yield,
the driver must do so by reducing speed, or by
stopping completely off the roadway so that
drivers of other vehicles proceeding in the
opposite direction of the procession can continue
to travel without leaving their lane of traffic.

• The driver of a vehicle traveling in the same
direction as the funeral procession shall not
pass or attempt to pass the funeral procession,
except that the operator of such a vehicle may
pass a funeral procession when the highway
has been marked for two or more lanes of
moving traffic in the same direction of the
funeral procession.

• The driver of a vehicle shall not knowingly
drive between vehicles in a funeral procession.
When a funeral procession is proceeding
through a red light, the driver of a vehicle that
is not in the procession shall not enter the
intersection even if facing a green light, unless
it can be done safely and without crossing the
path of the procession

I always stop. It's the right thing to do (respect)

 

[fishhook]

Always stop, It's the right thing to do and it shows respect!

 

[MST1TED]

Just respect, You should also get right for the ambulance,Could be someone you knpw. MY girl says she's a paramedic.

 

[MST1TED]

I mean know

 

[SANDFLEA85]

you said you were on the HW

exactly how slow were you going that they caught up to you

 

[CTA_Busa_LE]

As a matter of respect it is the right thing to do. It's not like you deal with this every day and it's not like it is going to take more than a minute or two of your time to pull over, show some respect, and allow the procession to proceed.

On a legal note, laws will vary from state to state. Here in IL the lead car is the only one required to stop at stop signs, lights etc. After the lead car clears the rest of the cars in the procession have the right of way and may proceed without stopping as long as they excercise due caution. If escorted by a police officer that officer will make the determination whether it is safe to proceed through stop signs etc without stopping.

On that I have been in several where the drivers of vehicles in the procession also don't know the laws and that creates a mess. Of course if the vehicles in the procession leave too much of a gap they open themselves up for other motorists, who don't feel they need to show respect, to cut in, turn, etc, or otherwise disrupt the procession.

Always good to know your state and local laws on these.

 

[HillbillyTom]

I don't know if it's actually a law in Missouri, but I always pull over.

 

[VaBusa]

I do, every time...I've been in those processions before and always found it so incredibly rude when others wouldn't pull over for us...

 

[rubber2burn]

I believe in Texas it is Law that you have pull to the side of the road.

 

[dadofthree]

always