topic Re: State Laws for Funeral Processions & Drivers in Community Chat

State Laws for Funeral Processions & Drivers

Posh Poodle — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 23:33:05 GMT

Was wondering what your state law is regarding drivers "caught in LONG " funeral processions but who aren't a part of the funeral procession. On my way home from work today, a funeral procession was in the right lane of a 4 lane major highway (not interstate, though). It had an escort. Drivers not involved were slowly passing in the left lane and turned their lights on for respect, including me. I think we all figured it was okay to pass since it's a major highway (sometimes going to five lanes counting the turning lane). The funeral procession stayed in the right lane, including the lead car. This is in Virginia. However, a pick-up truck in the funeral procession decided to block everybody in the left lane from passing by riding the center line, essentially impeding traffic. Guess we all ticked him off. I was driving well under 10 mph of the posted speed. I've read Virginia's laws, and it's not clear re this type of situation. All it says is drivers can't impede, join, or "pass THROUGH" the procession. Guess I'll ask the DMV when I go to renew the license next month. The articles I read said the laws are blurry and can be confusing. Thanks for any clarification.

Re: State Laws for Funeral Processions & Drivers

Posh Poodle — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 23:46:16 GMT

Let me clarify my original post and state the escort for the procession was not a police escort. Just a car flashing lights as a lead car so to speak.

Re: State Laws for Funeral Processions & Drivers

DecorDiva — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 00:21:48 GMT

@ - I live in Virgnia also, and several years ago I passed a funeral procession on a 4 lane road (2 lanes each way). I was actually unaware it was a funeral procession. I got a ticket, which was a $200 fine and points on your license. I went to court and it was dismissed, thankfully. I think the law reads that it has to be intentional interference.

Re: State Laws for Funeral Processions & Drivers

adoreqvc — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 00:23:04 GMT

I believe your best place to seek and receive a 100% accurate answer, would be if you directly make contact with your Police Department in the State you wish to inquire about their Funeral Laws & Funeral Car traffic related questions.

Good luck, stay safe and Happy Holidays!

Re: State Laws for Funeral Processions & Drivers

Lila Belle — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 01:54:47 GMT

This thread reminded me of when we were living in NC where on a two lane road drivers in the other lane actually stopped their cars and many got out putting their hands over their hearts, took off their hats and waited for the procession to pass.

Re: State Laws for Funeral Processions & Drivers

Mellie32 — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 02:09:05 GMT

We all pull over to the side of the road out of respect when a funeral procession is passing. I've never known it any other way.

Re: State Laws for Funeral Processions & Drivers

SisterGoldenHair — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 02:27:00 GMT

Here is Missouri, everyone always pulls over and stops out of respect.

I would never pass any of these cars that have their lights on during this sad time for them.

Re: State Laws for Funeral Processions & Drivers

cherry — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 02:28:05 GMT

It's against the law to do that in Mi

Re: State Laws for Funeral Processions & Drivers

Suziepeach — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 02:38:57 GMT

I would never pass a funeral procession out of respect.

When my FIL passed away, some jerk decided to cut in front of our family limo and thought he'd ride behind the hearse in traffic.. OH Heck NO, one of the police escorts immediately escorted him to the side of the road & gave him a ticket. Talk about tacky!

Re: State Laws for Funeral Processions & Drivers

Posh Poodle — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 02:43:22 GMT

Thanks to all for your responses!

Re: State Laws for Funeral Processions & Drivers

truffle — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 03:28:52 GMT

I'm all for pulling over when the procession is for law enforcement, a politician or anyone famous. But, for everyone else no, I will continue driving in the left lane way out of their way, so I can reach my destination on time. If they don't like it well I'm sorry, it doesn't mean I'm not affected by a death.

Re: State Laws for Funeral Processions & Drivers

Mominohio — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 03:39:01 GMT

I don't know technically what our laws in Ohio are for this.

I know if I am in any type of two lane road, city or country, I stay behind the procession if I'm traveling in the same direction, out of respect. If I'm traveling in the opposite direction, I come to a stop pulled over (much like one does for an emergency vehicle coming through) but in our area, especially in the country, there are hills that if you stop in the wrong place, you could cause a bad accident when someone tops the hill behind you at full speed and doesn't see you until it is too late to get stopped. In that case, I keep rolling. It makes no sense to me to risk lives for a funeral procession, regardless of what the law may be. I think any law or respect issue needs to take safety of the other drivers on the road into account first.

Re: State Laws for Funeral Processions & Drivers

Posh Poodle — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 03:52:01 GMT

@Mominohio wrote:
I don't know technically what our laws in Ohio are for this.

I know if I am in any type of two lane road, city or country, I stay behind the procession if I'm traveling in the same direction, out of respect. If I'm traveling in the opposite direction, I come to a stop pulled over (much like one does for an emergency vehicle coming through) but in our area, especially in the country, there are hills that if you stop in the wrong place, you could cause a bad accident when someone tops the hill behind you at full speed and doesn't see you until it is too late to get stopped. In that case, I keep rolling. It makes no sense to me to risk lives for a funeral procession, regardless of what the law may be. I think any law or respect issue needs to take safety of the other drivers on the road into account first.

That's one of the problems with this particular highway, Lee Hwy 11. It's four lanes between the 2 towns (and on the outskirts), sometimes becoming 5 with the turn lane. And it can be a real safety hazard to just pull over on this particular hilly road, esp with it becoming dark so much earlier this time of year. Pulling over isn't very safe.

Re: State Laws for Funeral Processions & Drivers

Venezia — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 04:15:58 GMT

This topic intrigued me because of something that happened recently and I found this article that gives the law for each state:

State Laws for Funeral Processions

Re: State Laws for Funeral Processions & Drivers

truffle — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 04:45:49 GMT

@Venezia wrote:
This topic intrigued me because of something that happened recently and I found this article that gives the law for each state:

State Laws for Funeral Processions

@Veneziathanks for your link, it's very informative.

Re: State Laws for Funeral Processions & Drivers

JustJazzmom — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 17:21:44 GMT

I was right about New York -- if there is a red light, a funeral procession must obey the traffic signals and not go through that red light.

Thanks for that article @Venezia, it was informative.

Re: State Laws for Funeral Processions & Drivers

Nataliesgramma — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 11:34:28 GMT

Hubby drives both the hearse and the limo (takes turns with another employee) for a local Funeral home since retirement, and the article is right on.

Most people are respectful and obey the law, but there are the ignorant and disrespectful that try to cut into the procession.Large processions usually have a Police escort.

Re: State Laws for Funeral Processions & Drivers

Puzzle Piece — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 11:39:13 GMT

Funeral processionms aren't allowed for the reaso that people must get to work or other responsibilites and obligations.

In a county where I have another house, there aren't funeral processions allowed. I understand the various reasons. Where I do see escorts are with Law Enforcement Officers/Fire Fighters who lost their lives in the line of duty. Even so, peole are warned the streets may be crowded.

Re: State Laws for Funeral Processions & Drivers

Posh Poodle — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 15:19:46 GMT

@Venezia wrote:
This topic intrigued me because of something that happened recently and I found this article that gives the law for each state:

State Laws for Funeral Processions

Yes, it is. I echo Truffle. Thanks so much Venezia!

Re: State Laws for Funeral Processions & Drivers

Puzzle Piece — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 16:20:19 GMT

@Posh Poodle wrote:
@Venezia wrote:
This topic intrigued me because of something that happened recently and I found this article that gives the law for each state:

State Laws for Funeral Processions
Yes, it is. I echo Truffle. Thanks so much Venezia!

California citizen here. Over in Ventura County you are NOT allowed a procession. It is against their laws. I think it differs from county to county.