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I hate the fact they get to run lights and signs. They hold up traffic. I have never cut one off but i have went the next block over to avoid them and get ahead.
Because it's all about you being delayed for maybe five minutes, I take it.
So, should we just throw you in a ditch when your time comes so nobody has to lose any time over you?
yes, at intersections, but if they are coming the other way like on a 2way street then, no.
Only one state, Nevada, specifically allows the lead or escort vehicle in a funeral procession to go through a red light. Five states, Arizona, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, and North Dakota, grant funeral processions the right-of-way at intersections without regard to any traffic control signal. In these states, the escort vehicle driver can direct the procession to proceed through an intersection or make any necessary movements despite any traffic control signals. These laws imply that the lead funeral escort vehicle can disregard a red traffic signal.
In 15 other states, properly identified vehicles in a funeral procession can disregard a red light and pass through the intersection if the lead vehicle lawfully went through the signal when it was green and subsequently changed to red.
Proper identification usually involves lighted headlights, but some states also require other identification, such as flags or flashing lights. In Michigan, the law gives funeral processions the right-of-way at intersections, but it is not specific with respect to traffic signals. Several court decisions have interpreted the authority to include signalized intersections as well.
In Iowa, the law is not specific regarding intersections, but provides that drivers of vehicles in the procession cannot be charged with violating traffic rules and regulations with regard to traffic devices and signals, unless operating the vehicle recklessly.
Six other states also have laws relating to the continuity of funeral processions, although they do not specifically grant right-of-way.http://www.cga.ct.gov/2004/rpt/2004-R-0303.htm
I hate the fact they get to run lights and signs. They hold up traffic. I have never cut one off but i have went the next block over to avoid them and get ahead.
What an ass...
I guess things are a little slower in the country. Not only do I pull over, several times I have gotten out of my truck and stood next to it as the procession passed, regardless of the direction it was traveling.
It just seems like the respectful thing to do.
In addition to headlights, they use a magnetic marker flag to identify the vehicles in the procession.
Last edited by Gimme3steps; 10-20-2012 at 09:07 AM..
As a guy who was driving in a funeral procession today, common courtesy seemed to have gone out the window by numerous drivers we came across. We were honked at as we proceeded through a stop sign, had numerous people cut in and out of the procession, who seemed to have little regard (or idea) what they were doing. It was a fairly large group, with a very long line of cars (maybe 30 vehicles). I've had escorts when we've had highway processions, luckily this one was only a few miles from the church to the burial site, but I wish I could say the "oblivious" drivers really surprised me, but sadly they didn't.
I am assuming that you first stopped and did not go through the sign, in NYS there is a civil penalty for failing to yield to a car in a funeral procession that is so designated.
In Texas, there is generally a police escort (off duty police) that controls traffic at intersections, leapfrogging so that there is always one ahead of the procession to perform this duty. Funeral processions have the right of way and do not stop at stop signs or red lights.
Because it's all about you being delayed for maybe five minutes, I take it.
So, should we just throw you in a ditch when your time comes so nobody has to lose any time over you?
There is nothing wrong with getting ahead if you know the procession is going in the same direction as you. I guess it's just better to get caught up in the traffic, right? He's not trying to stop them or impede them. He's going further down and getting ahead. I do it all the time when possible. People get too sensitive over the dead. I am happy that processions get to go through the lights as they are usually long and I don't want to be behind them at all at a light.
There is nothing wrong with getting ahead if you know the procession is going in the same direction as you. I guess it's just better to get caught up in the traffic, right? He's not trying to stop them or impede them. He's going further down and getting ahead. I do it all the time when possible. People get too sensitive over the dead. I am happy that processions get to go through the lights as they are usually long and I don't want to be behind them at all at a light.
I was not responding to his getting ahead of them, but to his attitude:
Originally Posted by JaxRhapsody I hate the fact they get to run lights and signs. They hold up traffic. I have never cut one off but i have went the next block over to avoid them and get ahead.
As for being too sensitive over the dead, I've never been accused of that, but there is such a thing as civilized, respectful behavior. If I'm inconvenienced by a funeral procession, I just consider how "inconvenienced" everyone, including the deceased, is who is actually IN that procession, and that puts my inconvenience in proper perspective.
I was not responding to his getting ahead of them, but to his attitude:
Originally Posted by JaxRhapsody I hate the fact they get to run lights and signs. They hold up traffic. I have never cut one off but i have went the next block over to avoid them and get ahead.
As for being too sensitive over the dead, I've never been accused of that, but there is such a thing as civilized, respectful behavior. If I'm inconvenienced by a funeral procession, I just consider how "inconvenienced" everyone, including the deceased, is who is actually IN that procession, and that puts my inconvenience in proper perspective.
Fair enough but dealing with death is not as much of an inconvenience in my opinion as it is a part of life. People die everyday. The world will still continue to turn. Now being held up by the procession is truly an inconvenience so there is no perspective for me to compare. I guess that is a reflection on my moral compass or lack thereof.
When it comes to a Funeral Procession some should see the movie "Taking Chance"...then you will understand the line of vehicles and the RESPECT needed.
The only time I have not stopped is when road conditions and traffic behind me make it safer for me NOT to stop.
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