Funeral Processions

[Blister]

What does Maryland State law say about Funeral Processions?
Today at 2:30 P.M. @ Rt. 5 and 373 in Brandywine 5 Funeral home vehicles with Virginia tags, sirens and strobe lights barreled through traffic, forcing cars onto the shoulder, stopped cross traffic at Rt. 373 and proceeded southbound on Rt. 5. Not a single Police officer involved. Do they have the right to stop traffic? Would you obey their commands?

 

[MADPEBS1]

you have someplace more imprtant to be? Give a little respect !

 

[kwillia]

If I see a procession coming from the other direction, I am one that will pull to the shoulder out of respect as they pass by. If I am going the same direction as a procession, I most certainly give them space and priority.

And yes they have the legal right of way in Maryland...Funeral procession perils - Baltimore Sun

Mark Middlebusher wants to know about the state laws in Maryland regarding funeral processions.

"I've been to funerals in Oklahoma and lived in the South, where people stop for funeral processions, show their respect and police block the intersections to allow the cars to go through. But here in Maryland, it seems like folks are too much in a hurry," he said. "What is taught to kids in driver's education?"

In Maryland, as in most other states, funeral processions may proceed through red lights at intersections if the lead vehicle entered the intersection on a green light. The lead vehicle must obey traffic signals; the cars following it can ignore them. Cars in the funeral procession must have their lights on

 

[Blister]

The Funeral procession did not affect my progress at all, I was in the left turn lane turning onto Rt. 373. When I heard the sirens behind me I assumed Emergency vehicles were passing to respond to a "Life Threatening Emergency." The funeral home vehicles used sirens, and strobe lights just like Emergency vehicles to force their way through a quarter mile of stopped traffic. They did not just go through a red light that the parade started through on a green light. I doubt that the "Guest of Honor" was really in much of a hurry.

 

[Vince]

The Funeral procession did not affect my progress at all, I was in the left turn lane turning onto Rt. 373. When I heard the sirens behind me I assumed Emergency vehicles were passing to respond to a "Life Threatening Emergency." The funeral home vehicles used sirens, and strobe lights just like Emergency vehicles to force their way through a quarter mile of stopped traffic. They did not just go through a red light that the parade started through on a green light. I doubt that the "Guest of Honor" was really in much of a hurry.

Maybe the guest of honor wasn't in much of a hurry, but how about the family. Maybe they want that particular event to be over. I know I did when I buried a member of my family.

 

[gettingmaddd]

I personally wasn't taught to pull over in driving school but my mother taught me to. It's a respect thing. And it annoys me when people don't.

 

[Dye Tied]

I personally wasn't taught to pull over in driving school but my mother taught me to. It's a respect thing. And it annoys me when people don't.

I'm not pulling over. I think it is ridiculous to do so and have seen 'near accidents' from people not knowing what to do.

 

[Homer]

What does Maryland State law say about Funeral Processions?
Today at 2:30 P.M. @ Rt. 5 and 373 in Brandywine 5 Funeral home vehicles with Virginia tags, sirens and strobe lights barreled through traffic, forcing cars onto the shoulder, stopped cross traffic at Rt. 373 and proceeded southbound on Rt. 5. Not a single Police officer involved. Do they have the right to stop traffic? Would you obey their commands?

Dam you are a A hole show just a bit of respect

 

[Baja28]

If I see a procession coming from the other direction, I am one that will pull to the shoulder out of respect as they pass by. If I am going the same direction as a procession, I most certainly give them space and priority.

And yes they have the legal right of way in Maryland...Funeral procession perils - Baltimore Sun

Mark Middlebusher wants to know about the state laws in Maryland regarding funeral processions.

In Maryland, as in most other states, funeral processions may proceed through red lights at intersections if the lead vehicle entered the intersection on a green light. The lead vehicle must obey traffic signals; the cars following it can ignore them. Cars in the funeral procession must have their lights on

So lets be clear here.... they do not have the right of way if the light is red before they get to the light.

This procession described by the OP was in the wrong. I do not agree with lights and sirens on funeral vehicles. They don't have them in MD that I have seen.

If I meet a procession head on, I will pull over out of respect but if they come up behind me at a red light with lights & sirens, I will not move.