Funeral Procession Etiquette? Would you cut into one? [Archive]

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coolspot

Jul 22nd, 2012, 09:43 AM

Hi all,

What's your take on funeral procession etiquette? Short story, yesterday I was at the gas station about to make a left turn onto the road, a funeral procession passes by, and I wait to let it by. The driver behind me became irate and started honking and yelling at me. He then pulls around me and forces his way in between two cars of the procession - and he almost hits oncoming traffic too.

It's times like this I wish I had a dashcam.

I always thought out of respect you let the procession pass through. Honking at/around the procession seems extra rude.

Do people still respect funeral processions these days? Or do you consider them like any other traffic and fair game to cut into it?

Thanks.

brian.gerson

Jul 22nd, 2012, 09:59 AM

Wow, classy. Respecting the dead and the grieving is one of those things most parents teach their kids. It's pretty universal around the world.

ronin1701

Jul 22nd, 2012, 10:22 AM

You did the right thing.

Don't funeral processions usually have a cop or two for escort? Why didn't they nail that guy's @ss?

Jimbobs

Jul 22nd, 2012, 10:23 AM

Personally, I would never cut in and would wait until funeral has passed. If the delay looked like it was going to be a long one, I would reroute rather than push through the cortege.

Maymybonneliveforever

Jul 22nd, 2012, 10:28 AM

There is an extra charge for Police escort with normally a mininum of 4 hours, therefore some choose not to take that option.

As for etiquette, ya, it happens more often then we realize, people seem to think about themselves first, others don't tend to factor into there lives and it seems to be happening more often these days. In this case it boils down to lack of respect, I would have done the same as you Coolspot, way to stand your ground and hope good Karma follows you.

Heero01

Jul 22nd, 2012, 11:38 AM

Poulet

Jul 22nd, 2012, 11:47 AM

The other guy was a dumbass. You did the right thing.

dealman5

Jul 22nd, 2012, 01:00 PM

How about the ones way behind and still think they can run the red lights or stop signs causing an accident

thrifthunter

Jul 22nd, 2012, 01:04 PM

How about the ones way behind and still think they can run the red lights or stop signs causing an accident

You still wait.

spike1128

Jul 22nd, 2012, 01:29 PM

******

***** is exactly the reason why this country has gone downhill.

When there is a funeral, usually people hire police escorts so this doesn't happen. Some small parties might not hire, because there is no need for one if it's a small funeral/expensive to hire police. If one can not respect the dead, then I am sorry man. The next time this individual might get hit by a bus, then people will leave his dying body lying on the road and let it rot there. It's a matter of respect to bury a dead man, therefore I would not cut inline. Don't think that it's not his relative, that he start to dance on top of someone's grave. <= this is exactly what the other guy doing by trying to fly pass the OP. The driver behind the OP should get into an accident, so he get bury along with the dead guy doing the funeral.

To the OP. What did that guy who cut out looked like?

dealman5

Jul 22nd, 2012, 02:06 PM

You still wait.
But now that most cars have DRL, how do you really know there with the procession

SCEvan

Jul 22nd, 2012, 02:30 PM

thrifthunter

Jul 22nd, 2012, 03:18 PM

But now that most cars have DRL, how do you really know there with the procession

I don't even... :facepalm:

matdwyer

Jul 22nd, 2012, 03:29 PM

sillysimms

Jul 22nd, 2012, 05:02 PM

In Toronto people act differently. In smaller towns EVERYONE pulls over on the road to let you by - both ways of traffic pull off to the side like an ambulance.

In Toronto people just carry on their day and do dickhead things like you describe, it's a shame. 30 seconds isn't going to kill anyone

I was just going to post this. I've been to a few funerals in smaller towns (in Ontario) and the difference between there and here is unbelievable. It's amazing really to see the respect people show - every car, including the other side of the road, pulls over and stops until the procession goes through. They don't need to pay for police as everyone has the respect and decency to give a few minutes out of their day to allow them to proceed as a group. We went by a school yard during a recess or lunch break and all the kids immediately stopped playing and just stood there until the entire procession had passed.

It's a shame that some are in so much of a rush and wrapped up in their own lives that a delay of a few minutes is such a big deal to them.

coolspot

Jul 22nd, 2012, 05:02 PM

Don't funeral processions usually have a cop or two for escort? Why didn't they nail that guy's @ss?

They didn't have any police escort, although with 20+ cars I think it would have helped them. Yeah the guy was a jerk to have pulled out and honked, I even yelled at him to let him know it was a funeral but he didn't care.

On another note, a couple years ago, on the DVP, a dead solider was being returned from Afghanistan, cars were reluctant to pull over for the military convoy that was passing bay. Maybe people were confused with the blinking lights, but still.

Jon04CTS

Jul 22nd, 2012, 05:05 PM

coolspot

Jul 22nd, 2012, 05:07 PM

Depends on the situation. If they do not have a police escort and my light turns green I'm going. I've seen it before. They just expect everyone else to stop for them and keep driving through the reds. Sorry you lost someone but you're still subject to traffic laws. If you want to drive through red lights then get a police escort.

This happened at a gas station, I was making a left onto a major street; the procession was on the major street in front of me. No lights were involved - just oncoming traffic.

Jon04CTS

Jul 22nd, 2012, 05:08 PM

This happened at a gas station, I was making a left onto a major street; the procession was on the major street in front of me. No lights were involved - just oncoming traffic.

I was responding to funerals in general, not your situation, sorry.

johnnydoe1894

Jul 22nd, 2012, 07:29 PM

nasa25

Jul 22nd, 2012, 07:46 PM

Geodude19

Jul 22nd, 2012, 08:13 PM

OP, you did the right thing, showed respect. The guy behind you was an idjit.

Simaahoy

Jul 22nd, 2012, 08:17 PM

The guy is one heartless baboon... You did the right thing OP

jordanr19871

Jul 22nd, 2012, 09:03 PM

+1

and only the cars with the little cards on their hoods can go through red lights etc
anyone else is usually too scared to get seperated or lost and just says to themselves 'stick with the pack stick with the pack'

i also think its an inconvience especially with all the cars on the road it creates a HUGE bottleneck even further down the road that you don't think of
so because you pull over or stop someone could be late to an interview or miss their soccer game etc etc

when i die im gonna have my estate hire a police escort to get me to the cemetery even faster just so i don't inconvience anybody when im gone :cool:

mmretlol

Jul 22nd, 2012, 09:08 PM

I know I'll get flamed for this but why should people hold up traffic just because someone died? People die all the time, every second of every day. Why should I show that guy any more or less respect than 5000 children who died in Africa that day, just because he has a motorcade?

Its not a state funeral, so don't parade 50 cars through the road like you own the place.

dc200

Jul 22nd, 2012, 09:51 PM

http://img1.artweb.com/users/2203/187493_african-child.jpgx5000

Poulet

Jul 22nd, 2012, 09:58 PM

If you don't understand the concept, then I feel sorry for you.

Canuck2fan

Jul 22nd, 2012, 10:03 PM

If anything you are doing requires that you have to butt into a funeral pocession then you really need to sit down take a deep breath and realize you are REALLY JUST ARE NOT THAT IMPORTANT in the grand scheme of things. After you do that then you should get your lazy ***** in the car 5 or 10 minutes earlier for any thing you have to do because delays happen all the time.... Plan ahead by leaving earlier, not being a rude douche. But that is just my opinion.

spf1971

Jul 23rd, 2012, 06:20 AM

Well whats wrong with cutting in?

Of course we should respect the dead - however whenever they drive by they are excruciatingly slow. I will respect them up to the point that they drive slower then regular traffic. After that all bets are off.

But now that most cars have DRL, how do you really know there with the procession

Depends on the situation. If they do not have a police escort and my light turns green I'm going. I've seen it before. They just expect everyone else to stop for them and keep driving through the reds. Sorry you lost someone but you're still subject to traffic laws. If you want to drive through red lights then get a police escort.

Personally, I think the whole concept is outdated given the state of our society today. Give people directions to the internment site and let them make their own way there. I spent 28 years in the cop business, a death is a tragedy, compounding it with another one at a traffic light is truly stupid.

I know I'll get flamed for this but why should people hold up traffic just because someone died? People die all the time, every second of every day. Why should I show that guy any more or less respect than 5000 children who died in Africa that day, just because he has a motorcade?

Its not a state funeral, so don't parade 50 cars through the road like you own the place.

I hope you remember that the next time a family member is sick, dying, in hospital, dead etc; your boss has a business to run. The world doesn't revolve around you, nobody cares about your personal problems; get back to work and stop whining.

starboy869

Jul 23rd, 2012, 08:09 AM

^ And this is another reason why toronto / gta is consider a ***** hole. No respect

lildevilx

Jul 23rd, 2012, 08:33 AM

Personally, I think the whole concept is outdated given the state of our society today. Give people directions to the internment site and let them make their own way there. I spent 28 years in the cop business, a death is a tragedy, compounding it with another one at a traffic light is truly stupid.
you also forgot people in the society today are also direction stupid... some people comes out of town to the funeral and has no idea how to drive though the s****y roads we have, so them wanted to follow the pack is really reasonable...

but on the other hand, running a red light is just not worth it... people in this city are just ruthless jack*** and doesn't care about anybody other them self its just that sad..... ~_~;;

woodstock827

Jul 23rd, 2012, 08:53 AM

every funeral service I've been to explicitly tells procession drives to follow all traffic signals (except if there's police escort AND you have the little card on your hood), have high beam on and all blinkers blinking.

OP did the right thing. Just wait for the procession to pass by.. waste you like 5 minutes at most even if it's a huge procession.

lildevilx

Jul 23rd, 2012, 09:11 AM

Jon04CTS

Jul 23rd, 2012, 10:21 AM

I hope you remember that the next time a family member is sick, dying, in hospital, dead etc; your boss has a business to run. The world doesn't revolve around you, nobody cares about your personal problems; get back to work and stop whining.

I'm pretty sure whoever I'm paying respects to would want me to do the right thing and get a police escort so I'm not a jackass that's illegally running red lights and holding up traffic.

boyoflondon

Jul 23rd, 2012, 10:37 AM

I usually turn down my stereo and let them pass by.

Well whats wrong with cutting in?

Of course we should respect the dead - however whenever they drive by they are excruciatingly slow. I will respect them up to the point that they drive slower then regular traffic. After that all bets are off.

:facepalm:

iEyeCaptain

Jul 23rd, 2012, 12:07 PM

I'm pretty sure whoever I'm paying respects to would want me to do the right thing and get a police escort so I'm not a jackass that's illegally running red lights and holding up traffic.

Did you notice that you just called someone who just lost a loved one a jackass?

You should take some time and re-evaluate your values as a human being.

Jon04CTS

Jul 23rd, 2012, 12:31 PM

Did you notice that you just called someone who just lost a loved one a jackass?

You should take some time and re-evaluate your values as a human being.

So just because you lost a loved one you're now free to do whatever you please and be excused from it?

Re-read my post. You're only a jackass if you don't hire a police escort and decide it's ok to dangerously break traffic laws and hold everyone else up. If you think it is SO important to have a huge convoy then hire the police so it's safe and legal. Why is it unsafe without a proper police escort? For starters, you're driving through reds with the expectation that people with a green light know what you're doing. Remember, you don't have any flashing emergency lights to let people know you're so special. All you have are your hazard lights on, which usually means you're going to stop or your car has failed. Speaking of hazards, everyone in this convoy has their hazards on and lane changes and turns. Well how the hell does anyone else on the road you're making a lane change if you can't signal cause your hazards are on?

You want to talk about values? "Hey guys, someone I know just died. So screw you, I'm going cause major confusion and disrupt traffic. Maybe in the process of driving through red lights, an accident will occur and someone else may get hurt. But it's ok because someone I know just died." Is that your train of thought?

canehdianman

Jul 23rd, 2012, 12:42 PM

What is the purpose of a funeral procession? I'm not sure why they are allowed to clog the streets anymore than me holding a street hockey game on the highway.

mrperfect

Jul 23rd, 2012, 01:32 PM

I have a similar story to share from the past weekend and I would love to hear some input from all of you on this.

Basically I was driving to Surrey and I took a right turn from a street to be on the right lane on (Royal Ave) that goes to Patullo bridge. Anyways I pulled over behind a White Limo and after driving for a minute I see some aggressive tailgating by a Black Suv (Tahoe) in my rear view. During this time I see that there was a similar Suv driving INFRONT of the Limo basically in a boxed formation except that I happen to be behind the white limo. However there were no flashing lights or siren however all signs indiciated that this was some sort of VIP escort.

Anyways soon the aggressive tailgating turned to honking and the driver is motioning towards me to get out of his lane. However I was unable to pull out because this is the ONLY lane that connects to the bridge and if I change the lane to yeield to this Suv I would be unable to merge back in due to busy rush hour traffic.

My question is do these escort vehicles have some extra permission to be driving like this? Was I breaking any law by getting out of their lane? If it turns out to be some undercover police cars, should I expect a ticket soon?

terrorencee

Jul 23rd, 2012, 01:51 PM

What is the purpose of a funeral procession? I'm not sure why they are allowed to clog the streets anymore than me holding a street hockey game on the highway.

Oh then you expect the coffin to be airlifted from the church to the cemetery instead? Another dip**** that thinks that the world revolves around them. :facepalm:

I think police escorts should be mandatory and free since the traffic and how people drive in the GTA has gotten worse year by year.

vaportech

Jul 23rd, 2012, 01:59 PM

I would have fired that driver. Didn't maintain distance to block people from cutting in. If he was part of my detail and I saw that he let someone in. Gg, I'd find someone else that's a professional.

I have a similar story to share from the past weekend and I would love to hear some input from all of you on this.

Basically I was driving to Surrey and I took a right turn from a street to be on the right lane on (Royal Ave) that goes to Patullo bridge. Anyways I pulled over behind a White Limo and after driving for a minute I see some aggressive tailgating by a Black Suv (Tahoe) in my rear view. During this time I see that there was a similar Suv driving INFRONT of the Limo basically in a boxed formation except that I happen to be behind the white limo. However there were no flashing lights or siren however all signs indiciated that this was some sort of VIP escort.

Anyways soon the aggressive tailgating turned to honking and the driver is motioning towards me to get out of his lane. However I was unable to pull out because this is the ONLY lane that connects to the bridge and if I change the lane to yeield to this Suv I would be unable to merge back in due to busy rush hour traffic.

My question is do these escort vehicles have some extra permission to be driving like this? Was I breaking any law by getting out of their lane? If it turns out to be some undercover police cars, should I expect a ticket soon?

Jon04CTS

Jul 23rd, 2012, 02:04 PM

Oh then you expect the coffin to be airlifted from the church to the cemetery instead? Another dip**** that thinks that the world revolves around them. :facepalm:

I think police escorts should be mandatory and free since the traffic and how people drive in the GTA has gotten worse year by year.

Take a step back and look at this purely from an objective point of view. Put your feelings aside.

The coffin can be transported with a vehicle.

He's asking why does everyone feel like they have to drive there in a line together. Everyone has GPS, everyone knows how to read a map and use Google Maps. Are you telling me if you get stopped at a traffic light or if someone merges in front of you that you'll be completely lost and won't know how to get there?

You used the phrase "Another dip**** that thinks that the world revolves around them." I ask you, who is trying to shut down traffic so that they can get to the funeral uninterrupted? Let me rephrase that. Who are the ones that think their time is more important than anyone else so they cannot stop for traffic signals so everyone else should be delayed? Here's what you're saying. "Someone I know died. All you other people out there now have to let my friends and I drive through the city without any interruption because we cannot be delayed. Our time is much more important than yours." The only people here who think that the world revolves around them, are the people in the convoy.

Again, I'm not opposed to it if it's done legally and properly, but at the end of the day, your message is the same: shut the city down and let me by because I feel that I am special and should not have to wait for traffic lights.

thrifthunter

Jul 23rd, 2012, 02:22 PM

Jon04CTS

Jul 23rd, 2012, 02:25 PM

Oh god forbid poor little jonny gets inconvenienced! :(

Way to go. You sure showed me! I guess you missed the part where I said I'm not opposed to it if it's done legally and properly. It's really more a safety issue, no? Just because I put my 4-ways on does it make it safe to drive through reds and stop signs now? Cause if it does, AWESOME, I'll never have to stop for traffic again!

terrorencee

Jul 23rd, 2012, 02:50 PM

Take a step back and look at this purely from an objective point of view. Put your feelings aside.

The coffin can be transported with a vehicle.

He's asking why does everyone feel like they have to drive there in a line together. Everyone has GPS, everyone knows how to read a map and use Google Maps. Are you telling me if you get stopped at a traffic light or if someone merges in front of you that you'll be completely lost and won't know how to get there?

You used the phrase "Another dip**** that thinks that the world revolves around them." I ask you, who is trying to shut down traffic so that they can get to the funeral uninterrupted? Let me rephrase that. Who are the ones that think their time is more important than anyone else so they cannot stop for traffic signals so everyone else should be delayed? Here's what you're saying. "Someone I know died. All you other people out there now have to let my friends and I drive through the city without any interruption because we cannot be delayed. Our time is much more important than yours." The only people here who think that the world revolves around them, are the people in the convoy.

Again, I'm not opposed to it if it's done legally and properly, but at the end of the day, your message is the same: shut the city down and let me by because I feel that I am special and should not have to wait for traffic lights.

Better check yourself before you break yourself.

You're telling me everyone should go their own way to the cemetery? What if someone took the wrong turn/ got lost (not everyone owns a GPS), got stuck in traffic, etc? People and the hearse arriving at different times.. isn't that an inconvenience to them then? And people that have a GPS aren't perfect drivers either. There are plenty of morons cutting through the whole stretch of lanes right before their turn or exit.

You're telling me to be objective? Please your last half is purely subjective. :facepalm: If the lead hearse crosses through an intersection before the light turns red then the convoy still follows regardless. It's legal. It's common law. People tend to wait and give way as a sign of courtesy. The procession is a sign of public mourning. But I guess you and the other road warriors out there can't comprehend any sort of courtesy or respect because of your tiny inconveniences. If the convoy passes through an intersection, it takes a few minutes, I'll wait. If I'm driving by them and they do hold up traffic, I take a detour. Simple as that.

Jon04CTS

Jul 23rd, 2012, 03:05 PM

What if someone took the wrong turn/ got lost (not everyone owns a GPS), got stuck in traffic, etc? People and the hearse arriving at different times.. isn't that an inconvenience to them then? And people that have a GPS aren't perfect drivers either.

So look it up beforehand and find out how to get there? If you don't know how to do that I can teach you how to use Google Maps (I'll even give you the RFD discount). If someone's not capable of using a map should they really be driving? Will it be inconvenient for them if they get lost? Well it's their fault for not knowing how to read a map in the first place, isn't it? So your argument is we should shut down the streets for everyone else because someone might not know how to read a map or follow GPS? Dude that's hilarious.

Nothing in my post is subjective. Quote it, copy and paste it and show me what I said was subjective. All I did is show you what you're saying. You're saying that we should shut the streets down because these people need to arrive at a cemetery together. Is it an emergency? No. So then why are we letting them run red lights? According to you, if we don't let them drive through the city uninterrupted, someone MAY get lost and it would be INCONVENIENT for them. (See? You said it right here: "What if someone took the wrong turn/ got lost (not everyone owns a GPS), got stuck in traffic, etc? People and the hearse arriving at different times.. isn't that an inconvenience to them then?")

So, in order to make sure these people are not inconvenienced, we should hold everyone else up. Now, is that not special treatment towards these people? If you want to sit there and continue to argue that you are not asking for special treatment towards these people, you're delusional.

Am I asking for special treatment? Nope. I'm not asking that other people stop for me and let me break traffic rules.

Courtesy and law are 2 different things. Since you struggle with this, I will say it again. I am not opposed to it, if done properly. Hire a police escort if you're worried about your guests getting lost.

lildevilx

Jul 23rd, 2012, 03:18 PM

So look it up beforehand and find out how to get there? If you don't know how to do that I can teach you how to use Google Maps (I'll even give you the RFD discount). If someone's not capable of using a map should they really be driving? Will it be inconvenient for them if they get lost? Well it's their fault for not knowing how to read a map in the first place, isn't it? So your argument is we should shut down the streets for everyone else because someone might not know how to read a map or follow GPS? Dude that's hilarious.

Hey Jon, i agree with you with pretty much everything you've posted other then the fact that everybody knows how to read a map and follow it....
that is sadly very untrue... yes they should really stay off the road, but are they? Nope, they are just gonna be on the road driving 20km/h finding their direction on a map which they have no idea how to use or read which then they will stop beside someone else and ask for directions....

the other thing is, just there are GPS and they are getting a lot cheaper now a days, but still not every body has a GPS or know how to use them....
(not really using this as an argument sake but as an example *sorry if this offends you in anyway* does your wife/mother/girl friend/significant others know their way w/o using a map? map orientated person?) if no well yeah... there you go~

Anyways you can get back to your argument on w/e it is :D

Jon04CTS

Jul 23rd, 2012, 03:27 PM

Oh look. It's DANGEROUS, just like I said.

Driver hit while in funeral procession
By BRIAN KELLY, QMI Agency

SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. - A couple in this Northern Ontario city learned the hard way that funeral processions must obey the laws of the road, too, after they missed a family member's funeral when a car hit their truck as it followed the hearse through an intersection just as the light turned red.

The 75-year-old driver was charged with running the street light and fined $325.

“We spoke to legal personnel and there is no leg to stand on, the law is cut and dried, the red light was his,” daughter Tammy Gillespie wrote to the Sault Star newspaper on Wednesday.

“All this caused my mom to miss the funeral, something that to this day tears her heart apart.” Despite the common courtesy generally extended to drivers in funeral processions, cars are not legally required to give funeral processions the right of way, said police.

Insp. Art Pluss of the Sault St. Marie police said taking the courtesy for granted is “just an accident waiting to happen.” The police force has gone so far as to meet with funeral homes in the city and extend a warning reminder for processions to follow traffic signs and signals.

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2010/04/07/13503601-qmi.html

And ILLEGAL

Funeral procession driver ticketed

By Shawn Jeffords, The Standard

Sunday, October 16, 2011 12:00:00 EDT AM

Welland - THOROLD - A Thorold funeral director worries drivers in area funeral processions might now be targeted by police after a mourner was charged with running a red light and handed a $350 ticket while on the way to a burial.

Jessica Bocchinfuso, funeral director at Lamb-Bocchinfuso Funeral Home, said the ticket was issued Tuesday morning to the last driver in a long funeral procession headed to Lakeview Cemetary from Holy Rosary Church. The man ticketed was the nephew of the deceased women, and he tried to explain that he was part of the procession to no avail.

"(The officer) had no compassion for the situation" Bocchinfuso said. "It was really sad."

Bocchinfuso said funeral home operators were shocked when the driver, who did not wish to be identified, told them about the incident. Processions in the town, some of them lengthy, have travelled through red lights before to stick together. Drivers pull over and let them pass to pay their respects, she said.

"We don't have the right of way, we don't have the right to stop everyone, but because it's a small town they always pull over," she said.

Bocchinfuso said the lead cars in the procession are always marked with purple lights and flags and other drivers proceed with their four-way flashers on.

"Sometimes we have very large processions and if we lose those people, they might not find their way," she said.

The funeral home contacted Niagara Regional Police and tried unsuccessfully to convince the service to dismiss or lower the ticket. After speaking to a supervisor, they were referred to the officer who issued the ticket.

"We called and explained the dynamics of this town," she said. "(We feel) he waited for us to break the law and gave (him) a ticket."

Bocchinfuso said the message from the officer was upsetting and might mean they have to change the way they approach funeral processions.

Niagara Regional Police Const. Sal Basilone called the situation "difficult," but said the officer was enforcing the Highway Traffic Act, which makes no exemptions for funeral processions.

"There is significant potential for injury," he said. "If someone is at the crosswalk or is heading in the opposite direction and we have something occur in the intersection, there is significant liabilities . I understand that history might be part of someone's thoughts in regard to funeral processions, but the reality is that the law is really clear in this area."

Basilone would not discuss specifics of the incident, but said the service would welcome a chance to further discuss the matter with the funeral home.

"We have excellent working relationships with our funeral homes and people who work in that business," he said. "We want to ensure we maintain that relationship. We're not going to discuss her comments or her feelings publicly."

Bocchinfuso said she went public with her story because she wanted people to be aware of the incident. The funeral home will now begin to distribute maps to mourners so they can navigate from local churches to cemeteries. It was something they'd hoped to avoid, she said.

"We pride ourselves on being a small town, and if we're losing this kind of respect I want people to know because that's not right."

http://www.wellandtribune.ca/2011/10/16/funeral-procession-driver-ticketed

Funeral procession drivers not exempt from traffic laws

The Winkler Police Service is working to get the word out to drivers in funeral processions: you have to obey traffic lights and signs.

The police and the city will be passing on the safety message to local churches and the local funeral home with the request that this information be relayed to people who join a funeral procession to the cemetery following the church service.

Police chief Rick Hiebert says too many people who are in these processions are under the mistaken impression that they can drive through controlled intersections without obeying traffic lights and stop signs. In fact, he said, the only time someone can drive through an intersection against a stop sign or red light is when a police officer is at the scene and directing traffic. Funeral procession drivers are required to obey all traffic signs and laws, whether at an intersection or not, he said.

In discussing the issue with city councillors Tuesday night, Hiebert says he is especially concerned about the PTH 14 - PR 428 junction. He said there have been a number of instances where drivers in southbound funeral processions drive through the junction against red lights. Given the 80 km/h speed limit on PTH 14 and the high traffic volumes, and west- and east-bound semi-trailer units in particular, there is a high danger of a serious traffic accident, he said.

Hiebert said other duties prevent police officers from responding to requests to provide traffic control for funeral processions. An additional factor, he said, is the sheer number of controlled intersections in Winkler, particularly on PTH 32 (First Street).

In discussing the matter, council members also noted the two four-way stops on Pembina Avenue West which leads to the cemetery on the western edge of the city. While a number of vehicles in a funeral procession can pass through an intersection on green lights, the ?stop and go? nature of four-way stops are more problematic. Both Hiebert and the council agreed, however, that there is no way of overcoming that and funeral procession drivers have no choice but to stop.

Mayor Martin Harder observed that while many drivers mistakenly believe they do not have to stop at lights and stops signs while enroute to the cemetery, he has also encountered some who also believe they have this ?exemption? when returning to the church following the interment service at the cemetery.

Council agreed that the local funeral home and all local churches should be advised of these safety concerns. Printed material outlining these concerns and explaining proper driving in funeral processions will ensure that everyone receives the same information. It will also be recommended that clergy presiding at funeral services make appropriate announcements at the services and perhaps even have printed cards available for drivers wanting to join the procession.

http://www.timminstimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2045231&archive=true

GangStarr

Jul 23rd, 2012, 03:30 PM

Guys re read what Jon is saying. He's not saying people can't or shouldn't have a procession. He's saying its dangerous without properly trained police officers.

I like any decent human being would give way and be courtous to a procession. However when all you have is 4 way blinkers and a tiny sign, how are people supposed to know?

Sure on a nice summer day, where visibility is great you would stop if you saw a string of cars going through a red.

However what if your driving a transport truck going through a dangerous intersection like bayview / sheppard (poor visibility from all approaches) and that transport simply cannot stop? This is not far fetched.

Hiring police is expensive, so if you can't afford it, choose a church that's near a cemetary. Who ever posted that nonsense that if the hearse has started through an intersection the tail end is somehow entitled to run the red? That puts the public in danger.

In fact, if you engage in this type of behaviour whoever crosses that red light should be charged with stunting.

Unless you have properly trained officers executing a procession you should be held to ane even higher standard for following traffic laws.

Which I'm sure any logical funeral home would tell you. DO NOT DISOBEY LAWS.

Finally if a procession is really worried about staying together, they can do what I do when I have someone following me and they get split up / drive slower or stop and wait.

I encourage everyone to re read jons post then re read terrorencees, its clearly terrorencee who has a sense if entitlement.

Also as cremation becomes more popular, its not even neccassary to have a burial the same day as the funeral. This multi day burial also is more accomodating to people who may not be able to make it one day but make it the other.

Jon04CTS

Jul 23rd, 2012, 03:35 PM

Guys re read what Jon is saying. He's not saying people can't or shouldn't have a procession. He's saying its dangerous without properly trained police officers.

Thank you

terrorencee

Jul 23rd, 2012, 03:36 PM

So look it up beforehand and find out how to get there? If you don't know how to do that I can teach you how to use Google Maps (I'll even give you the RFD discount). If someone's not capable of using a map should they really be driving? Will it be inconvenient for them if they get lost? Well it's their fault for not knowing how to read a map in the first place, isn't it? So your argument is we should shut down the streets for everyone else because someone might not know how to read a map or follow GPS? Dude that's hilarious.

Great THE perfect driver is upon us! Save us and the streets of GTA!

Yeah everyone has a perfect sense of direction. Everyone can manage the GPS perfectly. Yeah right. You're the one that's delusional. :facepalm:

I'm not going to continue this argument since it's really going to no where. But let me ask you this. Since you're so butthurt getting caught up with traffic because of a funeral procession, why not take a detour and weave about? (Since it seems that you're amazing with directions ;) Oh wait, your lovely GPS is leading the way)

Jon04CTS

Jul 23rd, 2012, 03:39 PM

Great THE perfect driver is upon us! Save us and the streets of GTA!

Yeah everyone has a perfect sense of direction. Everyone can manage the GPS perfectly. Yeah right. You're the one that's delusional. :facepalm:

I'm not going to continue this argument since it's really going to no where. But let me ask you this. Since you're so butthurt getting caught up with traffic because of a funeral procession, why not take a detour and weave about? (Since it seems that you're amazing with directions ;) Oh wait, your lovely GPS is leading the way)

For the hundredth time, if you want special treatment, get a police escort.

You have no argument so you can stop responding if you want. Go read the news articles. Go read the quotes from the police. Now come back and try to tell me you're right.

nyik

Jul 23rd, 2012, 03:40 PM

When my wife's grandfather passed away, cars pulled to the side of the road as the procession passed by. Mind you, this was in a small town, where there isn't much traffic, where everyone knew him, and paid their respects as he passed by.

I agree OP did the right thing, he wasn't endangering any motorists by waiting until the procession passed, and the guy behind him was a dbag.

However, being in a procession doesn't mean that the procession ignores the rules of the road. Unless specified by accompanying police.

terrorencee

Jul 23rd, 2012, 03:54 PM

For the hundredth time, if you want special treatment, get a police escort.

You have no argument so you can stop responding if you want. Go read the news articles. Go read the quotes from the police. Now come back and try to tell me you're right.

Nope I'm wrong. Spending a few years in Nevada is completely different. The road laws over there give the processions the right of way completely regardless.

tsat

Jul 23rd, 2012, 04:22 PM

lol, one time i was driving along dufferin just south of finch and was passed by a funeral procession... Being an opportunist, I cut in and followed the procession through all traffic lights until I was closer to my destination.

Heero01

Jul 23rd, 2012, 04:34 PM

Heero is exactly the reason why this country has gone downhill.

When there is a funeral, usually people hire police escorts so this doesn't happen. Some small parties might not hire, because there is no need for one if it's a small funeral/expensive to hire police. If one can not respect the dead, then I am sorry man. The next time this individual might get hit by a bus, then people will leave his dying body lying on the road and let it rot there. It's a matter of respect to bury a dead man, therefore I would not cut inline. Don't think that it's not his relative, that he start to dance on top of someone's grave. <= this is exactly what the other guy doing by trying to fly pass the OP. The driver behind the OP should get into an accident, so he get bury along with the dead guy doing the funeral.

To the OP. What did that guy who cut out looked like?

Oh please... Stop being a drama queen. Sure respecting the deads all fine and dandy... But why is it necessary for them to bunch up and follow one another? Streets are packed enough as they are without having idiot drivers going 20 below speed limit to "respect the dead".

I hope you remember that the next time a family member is sick, dying, in hospital, dead etc; your boss has a business to run. The world doesn't revolve around you, nobody cares about your personal problems; get back to work and stop whining.

I recognize the world does not revolve around me... Hence why I would never have a procession after I die. I don't want to invade on people's lives by have my friends and family cut red lights, drive through stop signs and go 20 below limit.

I recognize that the world does not revolve around me hence why I realize funeral processions are unnecessary.

mucat

Jul 23rd, 2012, 05:44 PM

In Alberta, you can go through a red light if you are not the leading vehicle.

spyder83

Jul 23rd, 2012, 05:56 PM

Oh please... Stop being a drama queen. Sure respecting the deads all fine and dandy... But why is it necessary for them to bunch up and follow one another? Streets are packed enough as they are without having idiot drivers going 20 below speed limit to "respect the dead".

I recognize the world does not revolve around me... Hence why I would never have a procession after I die. I don't want to invade on people's lives by have my friends and family cut red lights, drive through stop signs and go 20 below limit.

I recognize that the world does not revolve around me hence why I realize funeral processions are unnecessary.

If you don't want one that's great...but other people do. I've been in multiple processions and they always do the speed limit, with the exception of slowing down when anticipating a light is about to turn red. I've never seen people blow through stop signs, but in oakville I have been in processions where people at the other 3 corners of a 4 way stop all politely waited 40 seconds for all of the cars to get through, which is the courteous thing to do. What ever happened to common courtesy?

Awjvail

Jul 23rd, 2012, 07:10 PM

Idk about the GTA, but I know in Saint John both sides of traffic pull off to the side of the road and let the procession through. It's just a respect thing... something I sometimes think Torontonians severely lack.

Warped

Jul 23rd, 2012, 10:24 PM

Imo it would be a D**che bag move to cut.
OP did the sensible thing; the guy behind him should take a hike.

matdwyer

Jul 28th, 2012, 07:17 PM

And now this happens... http://www.cp24.com/news/pedestrian-fatally-struck-by-police-cruiser-1.896280

A woman is dead after being struck by a police cruiser escorting a funeral procession in the city’s west end.
It happened near Highway 27 and Rexdale Boulevard at around 12:45 p.m.

We don't know the details, but why on earth would a person be trying to cross the road in front of a funeral procession? They are typically driving extremely slow. I'm sure we'll get more details and if this was them going on a red light, officer not paying attention etc then I understand it, but otherwise I have no idea.

He told CP24 that he witnessed the woman being struck through his rear view mirror and immediately slammed on his brakes and exited his vehicle to check on her, however she was unresponsive.
She was pronounced dead at the scene.
“I saw her basically flip in the air and fall behind my car,” he said. “I assume she hit her head on the ground.”

So she wasn't even at the start of the procession, she tried to cut in between it? good lord...

I wish there was a test for people to go outside

opento

Jul 29th, 2012, 08:04 AM

Never

booblehead

Jul 29th, 2012, 08:11 AM

those police cars travel very fast during the escort procession (when they are trying to jump a few blocks ahead of funeral lead car). well when you get a jay walker into the equation, you get the above mentioned unfortunate incident.

pnyknights

Jul 29th, 2012, 01:43 PM

The guy sounds like an idiot. I've been in two funeral processions in the past 16 months and you actually get a pamphlet telling you to follow the rules of the road. Now that I recall all the processions I've been in I have never witnessed something as mentioned in the OP.

Ditto, in the procession I was in last year they told everyone OBEY THE RULES OF THE ROAD.

+1

and only the cars with the little cards on their hoods can go through red lights etc
anyone else is usually too scared to get seperated or lost and just says to themselves 'stick with the pack stick with the pack'

i also think its an inconvience especially with all the cars on the road it creates a HUGE bottleneck even further down the road that you don't think of
so because you pull over or stop someone could be late to an interview or miss their soccer game etc etc

when i die im gonna have my estate hire a police escort to get me to the cemetery even faster just so i don't inconvience anybody when im gone :cool:

Those little cards don't mean you're above the rules of the HTA. It just to hopefully let other drivers know that you're part of a procession (often at times people still don't realize that)

redgrandam

Jul 29th, 2012, 01:50 PM

Ditto, in the procession I was in last year they told everyone OBEY THE RULES OF THE ROAD.

Those little cards don't mean you're above the rules of the HTA. It just to hopefully let other drivers know that you're part of a procession (often at times people still don't realize that)

This.

Everyone saying the little cards allow you to run the red NO THEY DON'T!!! I'm all for respecting them and I never cut into them, and usually pull over for them going the other way (depending on circumstances and if it is safe at the time or not). However, going through the reds is just unnecessary risk, and just adds to the number of funeral processions when someone gets hit and killed going through the red during a procession (and yes, obviously it happens).

zzz3

Jul 29th, 2012, 02:59 PM