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No you don't. Even for EMS, you don't create another accident. The laws state that you have to make efforts too move over. EMS can use shoulders, turn lanes or even the other side of the road in most cases to get around you. A Funeral would not, because it's not an emergency. I know people can even panic in these situations, but for most significant funerals, they would have blocked ahead.
Personally, I don't think sirens in a funeral procession are very respectful. I've seen lights before but never sirens!! Still the next of kin aren't in such a rush that other folks need to be breaking laws or endangering themselves or others for the procession to proceed. In other processions I have seen (or been in) officers stop and direct traffic at intersections and I wouldn't proceed through the light without being directed.
You are not required to move out of the way of a funeral procession if doing so would cause you harm. We move over out of respect for the family and the deceased, not because it's an emergency. This deputy that was blowing his horn, etc. was out of line. I have been in several processions, unfortunately, including one for a deceased police officer. Our procession had over 300 vehicles and not once did anyone have to resort to this type of behavior. Normal procedure would be for the police department or sherrif's department to stop traffic at busy intersections to allow for the passing of the procession. Sounds as if poor planning on their part resulted in an emergency on someone else's part. I would not have moved until it was safe to do so. Better a ticket than a life.
I thought that they are suppose to stop at a red light and not go until it turns green? I know its ok for others in the funeral procession to keep going once a traffic light turns red but to actually come up to a red light and purposely run it?
I thought that they are suppose to stop at a red light and not go until it turns green? I know its ok for others in the funeral procession to keep going once a traffic light turns red but to actually come up to a red light and purposely run it?
This is one weird situation. As I said earlier, I have never seen a funeral procession (in this state or any other state) w/o LE at intersections directing traffic. Standard procedure is that the funeral home director has the route worked out ahead, and contacts LE and they station either PD or Sheriff's Dept to have LE stationed at busy intersections.
The last two large (over 50 cars) funeral processions I have been in were handled this way. One was here in Iredell County and the other was in Kansas City metro. There were motorcycle cops and/or police cars at every intersection w/ signal lights and the procession moved smoothly through. I have never heard anyone hit a horn or siren in a funeral procession - EVER.
Are you sure this was a funeral procession? Cause I have also encountered "visiting diplomat" processions w/ big black SUVs or limos and they were escorted by cops who DID flash their lights continually and sound sirens at intersections.
That's the weirdest funeral procession I've ever heard of. I would have taken a right at the intersection and just looped back to go where I was originally headed. It's safer than blowing right though the intersection (which you technically can to give way to an emergency vehicle).
It was weird and I agree that it should have been preplanned with officers stopping traffic I wasnt the one in front it was involving the lane beside mine and I was blocked in between two cars .
I have only experience processions in the opposite lane so this was kinda new and I agree it could freak drivers out for someone who about to see earth splattered on their face. I thought about calling sheriff but it not like It a big deal or something that occurs daily.
There is some interesting perspectives in this thread...Thanks
For a Funeral Procession, there's no reason to be traveling through a red light. It's always been my understanding that if the funeral procession starts through a green light and it turns red midway, they can continue. Plus I don't really understand why the sheriff was using his horn. For Funeral Processions that I've been part of that are for a firefighter who died during a house fire, we used our lights while in transit staying well below the speed limit because of the nature but never the siren...it's suppose to be a quiet procession.
For an Ambulance/Emergency Vehicle there isn't typically any reason for a car to proceed through the intersection. As others have stated this would increase the likelihood of another accident. When I approach an intersection I typically favor the left lane and use the other lane to control an intersection since there is no reason for people to be held up after they are through the intersection. If there was a barrier of some kind preventing this where the ambulance had to go through, it'd be best to approach from the right lane. In this case if the person in front had to move on a red light (and again I don't think it'd be necessary most of the time) then they could take a right turn (even if they wanted to go straight) to minimize their time in the intersection.
Read a few more post, and I think you technically can go through an intersection if an EMS vehicle is behind you; however, if you get hit or an accident is caused, rest assured that the EMS vehicle behind you won't be taking responsibility and it'll fall on you legally...(sucks but I'd put money on that being the outcome in court)
Let me get this straight, a hearse had a siren?
What's the rush?
Well I guess they were dying to get to the cementary?
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I've seen lights before but never sirens!! Still the next of kin aren't in such a rush that other folks need to be breaking laws or endangering themselves or others for the procession to proceed. In other processions I have seen (or been in) officers stop and direct traffic at intersections and I wouldn't proceed through the light without being directed.
