Funeral car procession question...

[King Alfred Academy]

I was taught that if a funeral procession (military or not) is coming toward you on an undivided, two-lane road (highway or not), it is courteous and respectful to pull off to the right shoulder and stop until they have passed.

 

I have seen where others have done this and I have also experienced some angry drivers behind me (I was far enough over for them to go around, however).

 

Were you ever taught this? Do you do it? Is this the first time you have heard of such a thing? Is it something that was done "back in the olden days" but not now? I'm just curious. :001_smile:

 

If it matters, I grew up and learned how to drive in IA.

[SailorMom]

It is regional, and perhaps the drivers were not originally from your area.

Where I grew up in the western US, only the cars on the same side of the road pulled over to let them pass.

However, here down south - we stop on both sides.

[QueenCat]

People do it here, as well as where we lived in GA. They did not do it in MD, growing up. A friend found out the hard way that it is not legal in her town, as it tampers with the flow of traffic. She was coming from the opposing direction.

[SquirrellyMama]

I learned how to drive in IA also but I cannot remember that one. I haven't met with many but from now on I'll stop. It does seem more respectful that way.

 

I make drivers angry when an emergency vehicle is coming in the opposite lane and I pull over (on a two lane hwy). I have no idea where they are going so I'm certainly going to pull over.

 

That is one thing I was taught in driver's ed and by my dad. They were adamant about pulling over for emergency vehicles no matter which side of the road on a 2 lane hwy.

 

Kelly

[missiemick]

As a child, we would pull over (both sides of the road) and if there was a man in the car he would get out and put his hand over his heart. This made a really big impact on me when my grandfather died -- still remember those men with their hats over their hearts.:crying:

[King Alfred Academy]

It is regional, and perhaps the drivers were not originally from your area.

Where I grew up in the western US, only the cars on the same side of the road pulled over to let them pass.

However, here down south - we stop on both sides.

 

 

I think you are on to something about it being regional which is why I mentioned learning to drive in IA. I remember cars doing it in IA, KS, and TN, but not in WA or CA.

[eternalknot]

I was always aware of this, too. I don't know if it was taught to me or if I just observed it and internalized it as that's "what is done" -- but I've always done it in the past, and always do it still. I didn't learn to drive until my 20s, and I'm only just now in my early 30s. ETA: I've lived mostly on the West Coast, but learned to drive in Arizona. I currently live in the South.

 

There is a funeral home about two miles away from me, on one of the two major arteries from my neighborhood into town. We're on the road with a procession about 2-3 times per month; still, only about half of the people ever pull over. I had wondered, too, if this was an outgoing courtesy. If so, that's an unfortunate commentary on our society's priorities.

[4everHis]

I was raised in the south and pulled over no matter what. I'm in the north now and I still pull over, others? some do, some don't.

[King Alfred Academy]

As a child, we would pull over (both sides of the road) and if there was a man in the car he would get out and put his hand over his heart. This made a really big impact on me when my grandfather died -- still remember those men with their hats over their hearts.:crying:

 

Wow...that would be moving and definitely something of a memory. It just makes sense to me to do this.

 

I learned how to drive in IA also but I cannot remember that one. I haven't met with many but from now on I'll stop. It does seem more respectful that way.

 

I make drivers angry when an emergency vehicle is coming in the opposite lane and I pull over (on a two lane hwy). I have no idea where they are going so I'm certainly going to pull over.

 

That is one thing I was taught in driver's ed and by my dad. They were adamant about pulling over for emergency vehicles no matter which side of the road on a 2 lane hwy.

 

Kelly

 

I don't remember learning it in driver's ed, I'm pretty sure it was just something my mom taught me and I remember others doing it.

I also pull over for emergency vehicles no matter which side I am on for the same reason. I've seen where they have had to drive down the wrong side of the road or cross lanes to turn.

[4everHis]

As a child, we would pull over (both sides of the road) and if there was a man in the car he would get out and put his hand over his heart. This made a really big impact on me when my grandfather died -- still remember those men with their hats over their hearts.:crying:

 

I never saw men out of their cars but wow, what a show of respect. I think we've lost something by not being able to take this small amount of time and effort to show respect for others.:(

[Lady Florida.]

I've lived in New Jersey, Georgia, and Florida. It's done (or was in the first two when I lived there) in all 3 of those states. As far as I know, it's a courtesy, not a law.

 

Pulling over for emergency vehicles is entirely different, and I'm pretty sure it's the law in most U.S. states.

[Guest]

Learned to drive in CA and was never taught that. People do, however, get extremely irritated with me when I stop for a school bus that has it's stop sign out and lights on.

[WiseOwlKnits]

People pull over in TX for a funeral procession. I've seen it/done it my entire life.

[KristinaBreece]

I was never *taught* to do that. But it's something I've always known to do. And it may be regional. I'm from here in Ohio, but my family's mostly from the south, so... Yeah.

[JoyfulMama]

I've never heard of pulling over for a funeral procession, however it is illegal to distrupt one, and they do have the right of way at intersections.

[Plink]

I was never taught to pull over, and i don't recall ever seeing it, but I do remember being told to allow an entire funeral procession to proceed through an intersection, regardless of what the lights indicate.

 

I was raised, and still live, in urban New England where the roads are narrow and winding (former Indian trails as my father jokes). If people pulled over on both sides of the road, we would have a mess for hours.

[Hathersage]

I found this link about funeral processions and right of way...

 

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2004/rpt/2004-R-0303.htm

[angela in ohio]

That is not done around here. You wait for the procession to go through an intersection so that they can stay together, but other than that, it's business as usual. I've never seen anyone pull over in my entire life.

 

There is a local thing here, though, that if you are turning left into a country driveway, you pull into the left lane so that the person behind you doesn't have to slow down (which is probably technically illegal.) That was new after we moved to this county. We didn't do that back home.

 

I have been amazed lately by the number of people who do not bother to get out of the left lane on the expressway once they pass a car on the right. I've never before noticed so many people driving slowly in the left lane, blocking traffic, even though there is no one in the right lane ahead of them. I don't know if they aren't teaching that in driver's ed anymore, or if people just care less in general for the people behind them (my guess, as that seems to be a trend in general.)

[kchara]

I definitely think it's a regional thing. In Indiana, that's what I learned, too. My husband's from NY. He doesn't do it. I get on him all of the time about it.

[WishboneDawn]

It is regional, and perhaps the drivers were not originally from your area.

Where I grew up in the western US, only the cars on the same side of the road pulled over to let them pass.

However, here down south - we stop on both sides.

 

I haven't noticed it so much on mainland Nova Scotia but in Cape Breton it was certainly a both-sides-of-the road affair when my grandfather passed away.

[Lady Florida.]

I found this link about funeral processions and right of way...

 

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2004/rpt/2004-R-0303.htm

 

Ah, thank you. I couldn't find anything when I searched. So, it appears it's a law in Florida, but I don't remember being taught to do it. I just remember my mother always doing it and telling us kids it was a sign of respect.

[fairfarmhand]

We do it in TN, seen it in GA, but never heard of it till I moved up here from FL.

 

I too am touched by those w/hats over hearts.

[Ellie]

I cannot ever remember meeting a funeral procession coming toward me on an undivided highway.

[mhgillil]

I'm from NC and I was always taught to pull over.

[TN Mama]

Responding on the touch, so don't know how it'll turn out. Yes, I was taught the same. I pull over and am surprised when others don't.

[amydavis]

I'm from NC and I was always taught to pull over.

:iagree:

[GoVanGogh]

I grew up on the IA/NE border and was always taught to pull over. Like another mentioned, the man of the car would always get out and put his hand over his heart.

 

We were just home this time last year for a relative's funeral. It was a 20 mile drive from the funeral home to the rural cemetery. Of all days, the county was out that day, prepping the road for a major resurfacing. Every single construction worker along the way removed his hat and stood with his hand over his heart. Since this was a rural area and my relative was a county employee, the majority of the men probably knew the deceased, which made it even more touching.

[lorrainejmc]

I'm in N. Ireland. Growing up, everyone pulled over. Reading this thread has reminded me. No one does it now and that's a real shame.

[Stacia]

I was taught that if a funeral procession (military or not) is coming toward you on an undivided, two-lane road (highway or not), it is courteous and respectful to pull off to the right shoulder and stop until they have passed.

...

Were you ever taught this? Do you do it? Is this the first time you have heard of such a thing? Is it something that was done "back in the olden days" but not now? I'm just curious. :001_smile:

 

Yes, I was taught to do that (& still do it on the rare times we encounter it). I'm from a southern family....

[Parrothead]

As a child, we would pull over (both sides of the road) and if there was a man in the car he would get out and put his hand over his heart. This made a really big impact on me when my grandfather died -- still remember those men with their hats over their hearts.:crying:

I'm old enough to remember when this was done.

 

I've been all over the place and there are more people pulling over than not. In some places funerals are still lead by police cars with the lights going.

[Paige]

In KY and GA, people almost always pull over. I've seen people get out too, especially if it is a long procession. In PA, nobody but me pulled over. I could not not do it, though. I have a big family and went to a lot of funerals as a child and it was drilled into me that pulling over shows respect.

[sparrow]

That is not done around here. You wait for the procession to go through an intersection so that they can stay together, but other than that, it's business as usual. I've never seen anyone pull over in my entire life.

 

There is a local thing here, though, that if you are turning left into a country driveway, you pull into the left lane so that the person behind you doesn't have to slow down (which is probably technically illegal.) That was new after we moved to this county. We didn't do that back home.

 

I have been amazed lately by the number of people who do not bother to get out of the left lane on the expressway once they pass a car on the right. I've never before noticed so many people driving slowly in the left lane, blocking traffic, even though there is no one in the right lane ahead of them. I don't know if they aren't teaching that in driver's ed anymore, or if people just care less in general for the people behind them (my guess, as that seems to be a trend in general.)

 

I was so surprised to see your location as 'SE Michigan'! I'm in south central Michigan and we ALWAYS pull over for funerals on undivided, 2-lane highways. My family comes from the Detroit area, and any funeral we've attended out there, I've had the same experience on 2-lane roads.

 

In particular, I recall a cousin who was a teacher in Pontiac. His funeral was large, it was pouring rain, and I remember feeling bad for all the cars pulled over waiting for us to pass, but also really appreciating that they did :crying:.

[scrappyhappymama]

I'm in Central Texas and it is definitely done here, on both sides of the road. In fact, we were at a funeral just a few weeks ago and the procession went traveled down a busy road, with two lanes on both sides, and ~everyone~ was pulled over, on both sides. It was very touching.

 

I grew up in CA, and there it was customary to pull over if you were on the same side of the road, and to allow them through the intersection and never break the line. I didn't see folks pulling over on the opposite side of the road until I moved here to TX.

 

Oh, and almost every funeral procession I have been a part of here in TX has had police escort. Not just for "important" people.

[OnTheBrink]

I learned to drive in L.A. but my parents are from southern Indiana, and I was taught to pull over and turn on headlights to show respect. I am in IL now, and I still do that, but not everyone does.

[LAS in LA]

I don't remember being taught to pull over (in Virginia), but my mother said it was the custom to turn your headlights on out of respect.

[ereks mom]

 

I make drivers angry when an emergency vehicle is coming in the opposite lane and I pull over (on a two lane hwy). I have no idea where they are going so I'm certainly going to pull over.

 

That is one thing I was taught in driver's ed and by my dad. They were adamant about pulling over for emergency vehicles no matter which side of the road on a 2 lane hwy.

 

Kelly

 

It's the law here in GA to pull over for emergency vehicles:

 

Move-Over-Law: Georgia Code, Title 40-6-16.

 

a. The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying flashing yellow, amber, white, red, or blue lights shall approach the authorized emergency vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a peace officer, proceed as follows:

1.Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or

2. If a lane change under paragraph (1) of this subsection would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.

b. The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary towing or recovery vehicle or a stationary highway maintenance vehicle that is displaying flashing yellow, amber, or red lights shall approach the vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a peace officer, proceed as follows:

1. Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the towing, recovery, or highway maintenance vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or

2. If a lane change under paragraph (1) of this subsection would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.

c . Violation of subsection (a) or (b) of this Code section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00.

 

Traffic on both sides also pulls over for a funeral procession. Around here, it is considered extremely rude not to do so. Funerals also usually have a single-car police escort, and when the procession is entering the church grounds, the escorting officer will park his car in the center of the road so as to block traffic from interfering.

[JessicaLady]

My parents are from PA, but I've lived in TX my entire life. I was brought up that you pull over. However, I recently experienced something new. While exiting the highway I realized I was entering into the procession. They were on the access road (feeder road, whatever). I had no choice but to merge into their lane and then I got over into the far land and THNE pulled over. I felt terrible about having even entered their lane! I did not see others pulled over, but was during rush hour and maybe people just didn't notice.

 

I've thought about it so much. I'm sure I would've caused an accident had I handled it differently, but it still felt awkward.

 

J

[Occasionally]

I've never heard of pulling over for a funeral procession, however it is illegal to distrupt one, and they do have the right of way at intersections.

 

:iagree: Except that the first car in the procession has to stop at red lights, etc. If the first car (hearse, lead car, whatever) is already through, then the rest of the procession should be allowed through without interruption.

 

I remember seeing people on the sidewalks making the sign of the cross as the funeral procession for my grandfather passed by. It made a big impact on me. That was in Northeast Philadelphia (and the funeral procession also went--uninterrupted--on I95, which was a trip.)

[JumpedIntoTheDeepEndFirst]

I've lived several places east of the Mississippi and was taught to pull over for processions. I've seen it done as recently as the last few months. Some places folks do still get out of their cars (back in the day men removed hats too).

 

Of course there are plenty of folks willing to lay on the horn too. :thumbdown:

[pqr]

I pull over, it is a simple show of respect.

[HomeschoolingMy4]

I'm from Michigan but have lived in Virginia for about 2 yrs now and have actually never heard of such a thing. It is respectful.

[MamaT]

I've lived in the South all my life, and I pull over.

[elise1mds]

I'm in Oklahoma... I never know whether to classify this as the South or the Midwest or what. Anyway, I do pull over. Cops typically escort a procession. All the people in the procession always have their lights on. I remember one procession where nobody was pulling over and I did... and THEN all the cars behind me pulled over, too. I simply don't think they realized it was a funeral. Anyway, one of the drivers - in the second or third car in the procession - caught my eye. He had obviously been crying, and he nodded to me. I nodded back. I like to think that I helped him in some very small way.

[angela in ohio]

I was so surprised to see your location as 'SE Michigan'! I'm in south central Michigan and we ALWAYS pull over for funerals on undivided, 2-lane highways. My family comes from the Detroit area, and any funeral we've attended out there, I've had the same experience on 2-lane roads.

 

In particular, I recall a cousin who was a teacher in Pontiac. His funeral was large, it was pouring rain, and I remember feeling bad for all the cars pulled over waiting for us to pass, but also really appreciating that they did :crying:.

 

I've been in a lot of funeral processions in the Detroit area (that's where my parents are from,) but they have always been through city streets, so there wouldn't be anywhere to pull over. I grew up in small town Ohio, and I never saw it, nor in Toledo, nor in the rural area I live in now (just over the Michigan border.) Until this thread, I'd never even heard of such a thing.

[Mom23Boys]

I live in South Louisiana and we pull over here. In my city, there is typically a lead police car and a police car at the end, along with motorcycle cops who go faster and stop at the lights to make sure everyone stops to let the funeral procession. Then they go ahead again to the next cross street and so on. The motorcycle cops will actually wave people going in the opposite direction over to stop. You pretty much have too pull over and stop. Most people do it automatically though and are already on the shoulder by the time the motorcycle cops come by.

[JennyD]

I grew up in NJ and have lived for a long time in NY. I've never heard of such a thing. My understanding is that everyone in a funeral procession has their lights on and that everyone else gives them the right of way so they can all stay together. (ETA: I just checked with DH, who also grew up in NJ -- he has never heard of pulling over either. "The only thing I've heard is that you get out of the way.")

 

The idea of cars pulling over, never mind people actually getting out, sounds like a recipe for total traffic chaos to me.

Edited May 25, 2011 by JennyD

[Murphy101]

We always pull over.

It used to be more often, because they had their headlights on so everyone knew.

Now a few cars pass before anyone notices. :(

[QueenCat]

We always pull over.

It used to be more often, because they had their headlights on so everyone knew.

Now a few cars pass before anyone notices. :(

 

 

Now that so many cars have day running lights, it is hard to know when the procession is over. Whether or not I stop depends on how safe I think it is to do so. I pass a cemetery at least twice most days, along with a funeral home many days, so this happens on a rather regular basis. Police escorts, when available, are helpful but they aren't always able to be there. I know not to pull over in one friend's town, since she got ticketed for doing so (obstruction of traffic, going in the opposite direction).

[fhjmom]

I was raised and still live in Texas. It was ingrained in me growing up to always pull over out of respect. I don't know that I have ever seen anyone actually get out of their cars, though. There is a large cemetery near me on a 5 lane road (2 lanes each way plus a turn lane) and cars going both ways almost always pull over.

 

It seems each time I pass a funeral now there are more and more cars that do not not pull over. :(

[Remudamom]

Southern born and bred. You pull over.