funeral processions

You don't have to worry about it. Same as a school bus on a divided hwy.

 

I think if you are at an intersection controlled by a light where a long procession is crossing it is proper to allow the entire procession to procede, i.e. stay stopped at the green light. A good funeral co. will make sure headlights are on and the cars are flagged. I have been in processions where the drivers in the processions stop for red lights etc....that just messes it all up.

 

I left strict instructions that I don't want a funeral procession when I die. Mw death should not inconvenience the living or nearly cause an accident as almost happened to me.

 

It depends on the state. I think it's more a southern thing but I'm not sure. You are better off following the lead of other local drivers.

In TN it has always been a demonstration of respect to pull over for a funeral procession up to and including a state highway. I never experienced it but I bet they would even pull over on the interstate. It was recently made law where a ticket can be issued. Divided highway means nothing as it isn't a school bus. You will always see a police escort with a TN funeral.

My mother passed in 2000 in PA. Our funeral procession was cut off, interrupted and everything possible happened. So PA has no laws nor respect for the deceased when it comes to being in a hurry.

 

the original "stop for the funeral" was started so you wouldn't scare the horse pulling the hearse.

way back when cars were first coming out and they scared your horse and could cause him to bolt.

and it is a southern thing. I grew up in upstate NY and had never seen it until moving to NC..

I'm not sure if there is a written law on the books now or not.

 

I got a ticket in Birmingham for going straight though a light while a FP was coming from opposite way and turning right. I in no way got in their way but BP on a rice rocket stopped me and wrote me up and was very pizzed at me. I was ignorant.

Lawyer explained it all to the PA and Judge and got it reduced.

Now I always stop!

 

I was pulling a load out of Springfield, TN two weeks ago. Unintentionally fell in behind a funeral procession, but kept my distance behind the last car, probably several hundred yards. Followed them for about eight miles before they took the right fork and I went left. But every vehicle coming the opposite direction, including several big trucks, pulled over as far as they could (two-lane road) and waited for the procession to go by. EVERY vehicle.