Funeral processions

[SomeKid]

So, on the way home I passed one, we were going the same way. As I drove up from behind (5 lane road) I saw a lot of cars with flashers on. I figured at first there was a block in traffic somewhere, and I did not realize it was a funeral procession until I got up near the hearses.

I noticed going the opposite direction traffic generally stopped and moved over, often with more deference than is shown police. Was this etiquette, or TN law (if anyone knows). Also, they went through a red light, and interestingly, the driver of the lead hearse seemed to be gesturing to people who had the green light to stop, as he pulled into the intersection. What is the deal with that? That intersection has a red light camera, which I despise, but I sure hope it catches the hearse and they ticket them. That is a VERY busy intersection, and they could have caused a wreck. Or is there something special I am missing there? In the end, I drove past them in the passing lane, and simply looked back, watching opposing traffic pull over and stop, and I then noticed flashing lights in the hearse, something I thought was forbidden except to emergency vehicles.

So, is there some special provision, etiquette or whatever for funeral processions?

[wmenorr67]

Not sure of the law in Tn but usually there is some sort of escort that will block traffic at intersections.

[SomeKid]

Not sure of the law in Tn but usually there is some sort of escort that will block traffic at intersections.

Absolutely zero police presence for this one, though I have at times past seen them. Generally, unless you are someone deemed important, you don't get an escort.

[Ex-MA Hole]

It's called respect.

[J.J.]

That is so true.

What you did was disrespectful and rude.

[Gewehr98]

We were raised to give funeral processions the right of way. 

Then again, my generation shows a bit more respect for all things in general, too, including the deceased.

Hearses have flashing lights, sometimes purple strobes.  Those vehicles pulling over in the oncoming lane were doing the right thing.

[SADShooter]

Generally, the funeral home contracts for the police escort for a funeral cortege. I think, but can't confirm, that some states have specific traffic rules/exemptions for this situation. as for ticketing the hearse driver in the situation you described, I think it's a ridiculous notion, but if it were my loved one, I'd pay the fine.

I know that when we buried my grandfather in Alabama some years ago, the escorting deputies stood to attention and removed their cover at intersections, as did a number of motorists. That mark of respect meant a lot to me at the time.

[Jamisjockey]

Another reason why I'm to be creamated.  I refuse to hog valuable real estate for my fat, bloated, drug and bullet ridden carcass (I have fantasies on how I'm to die).....and I'd hate to cause a traffic snarl for a funeral.
 

[mfree]

You pull over, and you stop. You give way to funeral processions. You sure as hell don't pass them.

Somewhere in another world your ancestors are looking at you in red-faced shame.

[Ex-MA Hole]

Oh, and based on how I'm reading this:

http://www.state.tn.us/sos/acts/101/pub/pc691.pdf

You committed a crime by passing the procession, and owe the state $50 for your (selfish/ ignorant/ idiotic/ rude/ immature/ insensitive/ obnoxious, etc) actions.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

situational awareness issues.  bet the music was up loud

[The Annoyed Man]

Funeral processions have the right of way here. Shame there has to be a law about such things. What happened to common decency, if it ever were common?

[SomeKid]

Not properly identified (Section 3). I had no idea I was passing a funeral procession until I was up there with the hearses, and even then I saw no flashing lights until I was in front of them. Nobody had flags. There was no "auditory signaling device". I am not worried about a ticket, because by the letter of the law, I committed no crime (though I came close, thanks for the citation).

For all you holier than thou types, go read my first post again. Keep in mind when I actually realized what it was, where I was, and the fact that not everyone has someone teach them every one of the million rules of courtesy. Why do you think I asked people on a POLITE forum about etiquette? Do you honestly think that it would have been safe/wise to stop dead in the road when I finally came to realize what it was? Get off the high horse, edited

[The Annoyed Man]

**WARNING: THREAD VEER**

SomeKid: you're both right and wrong in your last post: my comments in red

>For all you holier than thou types,<NOT needed > go read my first post again. Keep in mind when I actually realized what it was, where I was, and the fact that not everyone has someone teach them every one of the million rules of courtesy. Why do you think I asked people on a POLITE forum about etiquette? Do you honestly think that it would have been safe/wise to stop dead in the road when I finally came to realize what it was?<a VERY good question. But should have stopped here> Get off the high horse, pricks.<Completely unnecessary, and bordering on not allowed.

 Pointing out that you didn't know, fine. Calling names of the folks that corrected you? Juvenile...


**WE NOW RETURN YOU TO YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED POST**

[SomeKid]

Strings, I was not calling everyone who corrected me a holier than thou type, that was directed at those who were condescending in how they did it.

[SADShooter]

Never mind...

[The Annoyed Man]

Strings, I was not calling everyone who corrected me a holier than thou type, that was directed at those who were condescending in how they did it.

I certainly wasn't condescending about you, if you took it that way, my apologies. I'd guess that the law about funeral processions having the right of way here is because there were people who tried to interfere/break them up/pass them...

[SomeKid]

So, you saw multiple cars operating "hazard" flashers, cars slowing and pulling to the right, and cars stopping, and your reaction was to pass, I assume at a not significantly reduced rate of speed since you didn't specify? You figured the situation out after you were beyond the lead vehicles, and are complaining because *they* committed a safety violation and inconvenienced you?

Have I summed the situation up accurately?

No.

I saw cars with hazard flashers, but thought there was a traffic problem. True, I did not specify, but I did slow down (assumptions are not good to make). Basic driving safety there. FWIW, I have a perfect driving record. Zero wrecks, mine or someone else's fault, and no driving citations. I may be in the high risk category (age and sex), but I like my truck, and I slow down if I think something might be wrong with traffic. I have no clue where you get the idea they inconvenienced me, they were in the right (slow) lane, I was in the left (passing) lane. It is worth noting how the road is designed, they were coming in on the off ramp from the interstate, which makes one of the two lanes for that part of the road, I came in from the side that was not interstate, when I met the procession I met it somewhere between midway and near the tail (when the roads all merged), well out of sight of the hearses and with nothing to ID it. Regarding the safety violation, it is a major intersection, which has had some nasty wrecks before. The way the hearse cavalierly pulled out into it, simply waving at oncoming traffic to stop WAS dangerous.

If I can figure out how to make google maps work right, I will show you the intersection.

[The Annoyed Man]

It depends on state vehicle code law. How are you driving without knowing that?

[Ex-MA Hole]

Somekid, I'm curious, how old are you?

18, 19?

[charby]

So, is there some special provision, etiquette or whatever for funeral processions?

Here in Iowa by law funeral processions have the right away through intersections. The people in the procession have their headlights on to show that they are part of the procession. Don't need to have an police escort. I'm not sure about having to pull over like for emergency vehicles, but folks do it out of respect and I hold no respect for people that don't show respect for funeral processions.

[The Annoyed Man]

I see what you're saying: sometimes, it CAN be hard to know what's going on in a situation like that. Howsomeever:

 Regardless of how condescending folks "sound" here, calling 'em "pricks" kinda went over the top...

[SomeKid]

Somekid, I'm curious, how old are you?

18, 19?

Older, why?

Strings, maybe.

Hey SADS, why the post edit? Want to make another assumption?

[Ex-MA Hole]

I'm curious.

[The Annoyed Man]

and how "maybe"?