Funeral Procession rules...

[greeny]

I was part of a funeral procession today. We were advised before driving that we must abide by all traffic laws. There was no police escort. While travelling to the cemetary we encountered many lights. I got stuck at a red light. The cars in front of me ran through the red light but I chose not to. There was a pubic transit bus to my left and a line of cars to my right. They all stopped at their green light and honked for me to run the red light but I refused. The bus driver got upset but I waited until it was green to go as that is the law. Just wondering what the actual law is? I mean we were told to abide by all traffic law yet EVERYONE was running red lights. I don't understand. I know people are trying to be nice so they stop and let us go but they shouldn't pressure you into running a red light. Some drivers can be distracted and not realize a funeral procession is going through the red, and well it could be dangerous. That is the last time I will ever drive in a procession. It's not worth it. I think it's ridiculous to think that just because it's a funeral procession that you can run red lights. Any experience with this? Thanks !

[Natalka]

Any one that we have been part of has let the procession go through, regardless of lights.

Rules/laws may depend upon your province/city.

Here's the SK regulation:

Funeral processions have special privileges and should not be interfered with or interrupted. They must, however, obey all traffic signs and signals - unless all drivers with the right of way stop to permit the procession to proceed.

A few articles -

http://windsorstar.com/news/pulling-...s-good-manners

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...ticle13251247/

[Arvilish]

I am pretty sure only emergency and police vehicles are allowed to 'break' red light law but could be wrong!

[greeny]

Any one that we have been part of has let the procession go through, regardless of lights.

Rules/laws may depend upon your province/city.

Here's the SK regulation:

Funeral processions have special privileges and should not be interfered with or interrupted. They must, however, obey all traffic signs and signals - unless all drivers with the right of way stop to permit the procession to proceed.

A few articles -

http://windsorstar.com/news/pulling-...s-good-manners

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...ticle13251247/

Thank you for the info. From what I just researched Ontario drivers in a funeral procession MUST stop at red lights. This is why the funeral director mentioned to "follow all traffic laws" prior to us leaving the funeral home. I think more people should be aware of this, especially someone like a public bus driver who is on the road a lot. I mean he honked and got mad I wasn't willing to go through a red light. I just think that's wrong.

[greeny]

I am pretty sure only emergency and police vehicles are allowed to 'break' red light law but could be wrong!

No you are correct. The problem is most people aren't aware of this.

[torontogal12]

I would've done what you did, even if it was the law for you to stay together. You never know what people going in other directions will do. You did the safe thing

[SassyAshley]

Someone told me a few years ago (might have been aunt who is a police officer) that even with a police escort the laws have changed and the procession now must follow all law including stopping at red lights.

[Arvilish]

Someone told me a few years ago (might have been aunt who is a police officer) that even with a police escort the laws have changed and the procession now must follow all law including stopping at red lights.

LOL I meant when their emergency lights are on, the traffic rules becomes automatically null because else it would be a disaster! I.e. murderer would run away, injured person would die etc.

Yes they always have to follow rules when 'their lights are not on'. NO exception!


*volunteered with them when I was in High School, not allowed to disclose too much info, except for basic*

[freefreefree]

I am pretty sure only emergency and police vehicles are allowed to 'break' red light law but could be wrong!

yeah, that is what I thought.

[Ciel]

Someone told me a few years ago (might have been aunt who is a police officer) that even with a police escort the laws have changed and the procession now must follow all law including stopping at red lights.

There was a funeral procession for a former town fire chief and I recall that the whole group went through lights but there was at least one police escort and one fire engine with light on too. This was about two months ago.

[Ciel]

OP asked a good question. It's like the one my grade 12 functions and relations math teacher asked the class: you are waiting to make a left turn and notice an EMS vehicle with siren on and flashing light coming up behind you. What do you do?

We were told if we pulled ahead through intersection to pull over on right and the lights were red, we could be ticketed for running the red light. Also if we stayed in the left turn lane, that is another ticket situation.

Found a 2013 Globe & Mail article on funeral processions on the road:

For state funerals or the repatriation of veterans, the traffic flow may be regulated by police, but generally a funeral procession is driver-beware.
“It used to be that funeral processions would get police escorts; we’re not doing that with the OPP any more,” says Constable Linda Wolf with the Ontario Provincial Police. “Sometimes they’ll hire a private security company with the flashing purple lights that are sometimes seen on funeral escort vehicles. But they don’t have the authority to go through a red light.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...ticle13251247/

[Nina1]

Had a family member recently get a ticket from a red light camera. He was in a funeral procession and fought it in court. He provided the judge with the info from the funeral home that he was given and was successful. 3 others were fighting the ticket the same day but had no support documentation and had to pay the ticket. This was the trial portion of the ticket. Lesson here is you are responsible. The funeral home is NOT going to pay your ticket!

[greeny]

OP asked a good question. It's like the one my grade 12 functions and relations math teacher asked the class: you are waiting to make a left turn and notice an EMS vehicle with siren on and flashing light coming up behind you. What do you do?

We were told if we pulled ahead through intersection to pull over on right and the lights were red, we could be ticketed for running the red light. Also if we stayed in the left turn lane, that is another ticket situation.

Found a 2013 Globe & Mail article on funeral processions on the road:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...ticle13251247/

Just wondering, what is the answer to your teacher's question? What are you supposed to do in that sort of situation?

[Ciel]

Just hope that there is no police to ticket you for going through that intersection. One is supposed to pull right when EMS are coming through. Have to abandon that left turn. Now we have traffic cameras here and there.