Cop was wrong, you don’t have to pull over facing a funeral procession

[kymom99]

I've seen the opposing traffic on a divided highway pull over in KY and WV for funeral processions. It stuck out because it doesn't happen where we live.

I live in KY and I’ve never stopped for one going the opposite way. Sometimes the escort blocks an intersection then has to get back up to the front so maybe it’s to make it safe for the officer to do that. IDK

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hey Karen so was the person in the hearse. Very very disrespectful & narcissistic.It costs you a minute of your life
Sometimes the right thing to do costs you a minute of your life.

Wow. Really?

Seems like your post is also very, very disrespectful. Who's to say what's the "right thing"? You?

As noted, there's no law against it.

 

[goofyernmost]

That's for a school bus that is stopped.

From the FL State Driver Handbook:

So there is no requirement to pull over on the opposite side of the road for a funeral procession in Florida.

It is a confusing "law" if it is a law. What it is for is that they have the right of way and you must stop if they are coming through an intersection or making a turn from one road to another. That is so that first the procession isn't intermingled with other not related people or cutting in the line as they turn the corner or pass by. If you are going in the opposite direction in your own lane and they are in the other then there is no reason to stop as you are not interfering with the procession. The cop definitely had his interpretation screwed up. Now if it was an ambulance with lights flashing and siren blaring then yes you pull over and leave room for them to pass. That is an emergency, a funeral has no reason to have any need for people to clear the way. They have an eternity to get there.

 

[LadyBeBop]

I've seen the opposing traffic on a divided highway pull over in KY and WV for funeral processions. It stuck out because it doesn't happen where we live.

Hmm. I live in Kentucky. And I’ve never heard of opposing traffic stopping for funeral processions. The only out-of-the ordinary stop was that the possession always has the right-of-way; even at traffic lights and stop signs.

 

[vikequeen]

You must not have ever been to Minneapolis. It happens all the time, driver's are very passive and will stop at the end of an entrance ramp until somebody stops on the freeway to let them in.

Yes I live here and people don't know how to merge. Drivers don't change lanes to let the oncoming traffic merge either. It drives me crazy.

 

[Jennasis]

Wow. Really?

Seems like your post is also very, very disrespectful. Who's to say what's the "right thing"? You?

As noted, there's no law against it.

To be fair, there's also no law against farting in an elevator full of people either...but I'm gonna make a bold statement in saying I totally get to say that not farting in an elevator full of people is the "right thing".

 

[Lehuaann]

We lived in S central KY for 12 yrs (now live just over the state line for the past 10+ yrs), and many still stop on both sides of the road out of respect Usually 2 lane roads, though, not 4. Believe this is just etiquette, not law

 

[Tallis]

In WV most people, going both directions, pulled to the side for funeral processions on two lane roads.

In my area of FL, everyone does it. If you don't the police will definitely reprimand you. I've seen it a couple times where people from out of state tried to keep going and got waved over by police. Might not be a law, but it is sure enforced.

 

[highlander4]

I have lived in KY (western) my whole life(47) years. I always pull over for funeral processions even on two lane roads.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

I have never heard of pulling over for a funeral procession.

Me either, nor have I ever seen it done. And I’ve lived in both California and Virginia - both sides of the USA.

 

[Moliphino]

I have never heard of pulling over for a funeral procession.

Me either. I don't see them often and it would never occur to me to pull over if one was driving past me.

 

[hereyago]

Hey Karen so was the person in the hearse. Very very disrespectful & narcissistic.It costs you a minute of your life
Sometimes the right thing to do costs you a minute of your life.

The body in the hearse had no way of caring if someone kept it moving in the OPPOSITE direction. And I doubt the soul cared either.

I live in VA and we don’t pull over. It isn’t a pressing issue like a cop or fire truck ambulance..

 

[DLgal]

Me either, nor have I ever seen it done. And I’ve lived in both California and Virginia - both sides of the USA.

I'll add to that. I've lived in those two (currently in CA and previously in VA), but I've also lived in NJ and NY. I have never heard of this nor seen it done. If I was in this situation it wouldn't even cross my mind to pull over. What a weird "rule."

 

[focusondisney]

Hey Karen so was the person in the hearse. Very very disrespectful & narcissistic.It costs you a minute of your life
Sometimes the right thing to do costs you a minute of your life.

“So was the person in the hearse“?? What does that even mean? The deceased was running late?? I totally disagree it was “very, very disrespectful & narcissist” of the OP to proceed as they were. Disrespectful is calling someone a “Karen” because they don’t think the way you do. Narcissistic, like thinking your way is the right way & everybody who doesn’t do what you say is wrong???

The OP’s point was that the police officer gave them incorrect information on traffic law. In most cases, stopping when not necessary impedes traffic & causes more issues. I am in my 60s & have been attending funerals since I was about 12 years old & driving for 45 years. I have never seen oncoming traffic stop for a procession, unless it was to allow them to turn unimpeded.

 

[Boopuff]

Chicago native here. The only time I've ever stopped for a funeral is when the processional was cruising through a stoplight or stop sign. Never, ever heard of pulling over and stopping for one in any direction.

 

[greg9x]

I'll stop to let a procession pulling out of somewhere so they all stay together, that's just courtesy... but I would never consider stopping while going the opposite direction. Not sure how that's a respect thing, I guess if you personally feel it is, then go ahead (as long as not interfering with other drivers), but don't get bent out of shape if others don't.

 

[cobright]

Hey Karen ...

Sick burn bruh.

 

[Mysterian]

Never heard of this either. I got curious and found some info:

"Experts also note that many people mistakenly believe you must pull over when a funeral procession is approaching, even if you're on the other side of the road. While this may be a tradition in places, no state laws require this. In fact, such a move may be hazardous and cause a collision. "

From the following site:
https://people.howstuffworks.com/cu...-have-to-pull-over-for-funeral-procession.htm

 

[sasywtch]

In my part of northern CA, some hire companies that provide motorcycle escorts made up of off duty police. If they are directing traffic at an intersection, you would follow their direction but you would not stop if going in the opposite direction (to show respect). However, when I moved to OK for 7 years, they did stop on all sides of the rode to show respect. Different culture. Having worked for the sheriff's dept for a while, I'd like to know what those police officers are threatening a person with if there is no law? That to me appears to be more against the law than what the driver was actually doing. When I lived in OK, not one person could tell me if it was a law or not, just what they do. I suspect those officers grew up with the same culture and just assumed everyone knew it was done.

 

[unrequited23]

Hmm. I live in Kentucky. And I’ve never heard of opposing traffic stopping for funeral processions. The only out-of-the ordinary stop was that the possession always has the right-of-way; even at traffic lights and stop signs.

We were in Barbourville, KY which is close to Corban. It's a tradition that seems like it would be easier in smaller towns vs. places with crazy traffic. I couldn't imagine it in DC, LA or NYC.