When you see a funeral procession do you pull over to the side of the road?

Question

We do it in the south. I was just wondering do people do this in other parts of the world/country?

Answer 1

I, too, am from the South, so yes I pull over out of respect for grieving family.

I also pull over for ambulances, but I seem to be alone in this.

Answer 2

I was born and raised in the South. I only pull over if they're already passing me. If I see them way, way, way, way behind me (especially if they're driving slow), I keep going. Actually, I see a lot of people driving among the precession who obviously don't belong there. Maybe it's cause I'm in Florida. Florida has lost most of the traditional values of the South because it has become a place where people from so many other places move to for retirement, business, or as snowbirds, and most of them don't respect old Southern values. (and I hate it when people associate that statement with someone being racist. That's what I mean by people don't respect Southern values. They automatically assume that means inbreeding and racism, but we are not all rednecks and yokels. Southerners, of African, European, or Afro-European descent, have a legitimate culture. We have our own customs, foods, and values. Each state is a little different. Who wouldn't recognize the Cajun/Creole culture of Louisiana? That's just another form of Southern culture. I grew up with people of all different races as my friends and community, and I love the diversity...but I'm 100% Southern. Nothing to be ashamed of). There are probably other states where that's still the popular custom.

Answer 3

I think it is polite to pull over on the road for a funeral procession.
I live in Australia and this was the done thing many years ago. Unfortunately some people do not care anymore.

Answer 4

I live in Mississippi. I always pull over to the side of the road (if possible) when I see a funeral procession going by...I don't resume driving again until the entire procession has passed me.

Answer 5

In Michigan, I believe it's the law to pull over to the side of the road for a procession. Also processions are allowed to go through red lights.

Answer 6

Yes, but it can be difficult here in So Cali. Funeral processions often go onto the freeway, and it's nearly imposiible to pull over then. It is the right thing to do when it is safe and possible.

Peace.

Answer 7

I belive that is standard throughout the United States (in fact I believe it is a law in many states). As for the rest of the world... I'm not really sure.

Austin: I'm not sure what your idea of a small town is, Youngstown is not a small town and we do it.

Here is an excerpt from Delaware's Driving Laws
§ 7103. Driving in funeral processions.

(a) Pedestrians and operators of vehicles not part of a funeral procession shall not drive between, obstruct, hinder or in any way interfere with the vehicles of a funeral procession being led by a funeral lead vehicle or funeral escort vehicle.

The following is from the National Funeral Directors Association:
Section 101-04. Funeral Procession Right-of-Way

1. Except as provided in subsection (d) of this Section, pedestrians and operators of all vehicles shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which is part of a funeral procession being led by a funeral escort vehicle or a funeral lead vehicle.

2. Whenever the funeral escort vehicle or funeral lead vehicle in a funeral procession lawfully enters an intersection, either by reason of a traffic control device or at the direction of law enforcement personnel, the remaining vehicles in the funeral procession may continue to follow the funeral lead vehicle through the intersection despite any traffic control devices or right-of-way provisions of State or local ordinances, provided the operator of each vehicle exercises reasonable care toward any other vehicle or pedestrian on the roadway.

3. Except as provided in subsection (d) of this Section, an operator of a funeral escort vehicle may direct the operators of other vehicles in a funeral procession to proceed through an intersection or to make turns or other movements despite any traffic control device. The operator of a funeral escort vehicle may direct and control the operators of vehicles not in a funeral procession, including those in or approaching an intersection, to stop, proceed, or make turns or other movements without regard to a traffic control device. Funeral escort vehicles may exceed the speed limit by 15 miles per hour when overtaking the funeral procession to direct traffic at the next intersection.

4. Funeral processions shall have the right-of-way at intersections regardless of traffic control devices, subject to the following conditions and exceptions:

1. Operators of vehicles in a funeral procession shall yield the right-of-way to an approaching emergency vehicle giving an audible or visible signal;

2. Operators of vehicles in a funeral procession shall yield the right-of-way when directed to do so by law enforcement personnel; and

3. Operators of vehicles in a funeral procession must exercise due care when participating in a funeral procession.

Section 101-05. Vehicles not in Funeral Procession

The operator of a vehicle that is not part of a funeral procession may not:

1. Drive between the vehicles forming a funeral procession while they are in motion except when authorized to do so by law enforcement personnel or when driving an authorized emergency vehicle emitting an audible or visible signal.

2. Join a funeral procession to secure the right-of-way as granted by Section 101-04.

3. Pass a funeral procession on a multiple lane highway on the funeral procession’s right side unless the funeral procession is in the farthest left lane.

4. Enter an intersection, even if the operator is facing a green traffic control signal, when a funeral procession is proceeding through a red traffic control signal at the intersection as permitted under Section 101-04, unless the operator can so without crossing the path of the funeral procession. If the red signal changes to green while the funeral procession is within the intersection, the operator of the vehicle facing a green signal may proceed subject to the right-of-way of a vehicle participating in a funeral procession.

Answer 8

I do, but I'm from the South, too. I think it's mainly just a Southern thing.

Answer 9

Yes, I think it is a matter of custom and respect everywhere in this country. I live in the Northeast and we do the same thing.

Answer 10

In Northern Nevada and California, yes-- its the law. You can be ticketed if you don't. Besides the fact that its good manners and respectful of the mourners.