Funeral Procession on a 4 lane Highway ; must you pull over by Law ? (Andalusia: living in, dangerous)

RVlover · 09-04-2009, 12:41 PM

Ive just moved to the Panhandle in Florida and drove up to Andalusia, Al. where i encountered a Funeral Procession led by a Police car. It was on a 4 lane highway -- the Procession was on the other side of the road in the far right lane and I was in the far right lane on the opposite side of the road. Much to my surprise, everyone pulled over in front of me and came to a stop until it had passed by --- is this a State Law or was it just common courtesy out of respect for the deceased ?

Back in Illinois, you dont have to pull over even if its a 2 lane road so long as its going the opposite way.

Just need to know in case i ever encounter that again as ill be travelling to Alabama occassionally. Thanks.

1984vt · 09-04-2009, 12:45 PM

It is a sign of respect for the family that has just lost a loved one and the person that died. It is an old fashioned tradition that I find very reassuring that someplace, some people, still do have compassion.

Alabama law does not address funeral processions unless they are have a police escort.

cpg35223 · 09-04-2009, 01:02 PM

It is not law. It's just a nice custom. And really, does it really hurt that much to pull over?

bmrisko · 09-04-2009, 01:16 PM

I pulled over for that same procession last weekend on Hwy. 72. It is not a law, but rather a sign of respect, mainly observed in the Southeast...

RVlover · 09-04-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpg35223

It is not law. It's just a nice custom. And really, does it really hurt that much to pull over?

Did i indicate in my OP that I was annoyed I had to pull over ? I didnt mind at all pulling over . I simply stated that i was surprised because where i moved from it was not done , and thats what i was used to. I happen to really like living in the deep South and am glad to see the consideration for others that is abundant whereever i go in my travels around Florida or Alabama.

Keeper · 09-04-2009, 02:09 PM

I remember the first time I saw everyone stopping I almost cried seeing that it is still done here. I saw a truckers stopping in the opposite lane for the procession. In FL it isn't done, ppl will pass a funeral procession.

bluebeard · 09-04-2009, 02:13 PM

So people who don't pull over lack compassion? Even if they've never heard of that rule or that no one else does it around them?

Charles · 09-04-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpg35223

It is not law. It's just a nice custom. And really, does it really hurt that much to pull over?

I would think that pulling over (when traveling in the opposite direction of a funeral procession), even if performed slowly, would create more of a hazard than not pulling over at all. It also creates more of a distraction.

Consider the drivers coming up from behind you. Most of the time their mindset is "everybody just keep going" and all of a sudden people start pulling over. Seems more dangerous to pull over than it is to keep driving.

Besides, I don't think the deceased or his family really cares if you pull over or not. If your loved one died, would it matter to you whether or not people traveling the opposite direction pulled over? I wouldn't care.

RVlover · 09-04-2009, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluebeard

So people who don't pull over lack compassion? Even if they've never heard of that rule or that no one else does it around them?

Good point ; if they dont stop perhaps they are offering up a prayer for the Family and Friends of the one who died . It doesnt always mean they are without compassion . Im am pleased to see Alabama handle it the way they do .

RVlover · 09-04-2009, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles

I would think that pulling over (when traveling in the opposite direction of a funeral procession), even if performed slowly, would create more of a hazard than not pulling over at all. It also creates more of a distraction.

Consider the drivers coming up from behind you. Most of the time their mindset is "everybody just keep going" and all of a sudden people start pulling over. Seems more dangerous to pull over than it is to keep driving.

Besides, I don't think the deceased or his family really cares if you pull over or not. If your loved one died, would it matter to you whether or not people traveling the opposite direction pulled over? I wouldn't care.

Charlie, I think the Family or Friends of the deceased would be personally moved and pleased, to see people going the opposite direction pull over .