#learnthelawtuesdays
We have received a lot of questions about what we are covering today: Funeral Procession Etiquette. Many people either panic when they encounter one, or drive with no respect for the procession itself. As a driver, be aware of your surroundings and pay attention if you notice the signs that you are encountering a funeral procession. This is essential because you need to know how to show respect and honor the event – its not only respectful, its the law.
(Remember: At intersections, drivers in a funeral procession have the right to proceed through red lights provided that the lead vehicle in the procession started through the intersection while the light was green and so long as all the vehicles have their headlights lit, flashers on, and a flag or sticker indicating its part of the procession.)
One of these days, you might find yourself participating in a procession, so follow the Golden Rule and treat the mourners the way you would want to be treated if you’d just lost someone you cared about.
Here are some tips for showing respect for a funeral procession:
– If you encounter cars with mourners, be polite, pull over, and wait for them to pass before proceeding.
– Show respect by not honking your horn, revving your engine, or acting impatient in any way.
– Don’t try to join the procession.
– Don’t cut into a procession.
27-51-1409. Operation of motor vehicles on approach of funeral procession.
(a) A person driving a motor vehicle that is not a part of a funeral procession shall not:
(1) Drive between the motor vehicles of a funeral procession while the motor vehicles are in motion;
(2) Join a funeral procession for the purpose of securing the right-of-way.
(3) Pass a funeral procession on a multiple-lane highway on the right side of the funeral procession unless the funeral procession is in the leftmost lane; or
(4) Enter an intersection when a funeral procession is proceeding through a red official traffic control signal as permitted by § 27-49-113(c)(1) unless the driver of the motor vehicle enters the intersection without crossing the path of the funeral procession.
