Traffic talk: What are the rules for funeral processions? Do drivers have to pull over?

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on June 20, 2011 at 7:00 AM, updated June 20, 2011 at 12:25 PM

This week's traffic talk is dedicated to the Jimmy John's sub shop delivery driver who made news last week after being ticketed for twice cutting into a funeral procession.

The topic was already on my radar since several readers have asked about it, but I knew I had to tackle it after hearing about the incident in Norton Shores that reportedly led sub shop owners to fire the errant driver.

Not to pile on, but isn't this like Driver's Ed 101 or something? How can drivers not know the rules when it comes to funerals?

To be fair, I did get some nuanced questions from readers that made me realize that, as with many traffic laws, the rules may not always seem obvious in every scenario drivers find themselves in.

Like, this question from reader, Anne, who wrote in an email:

What are the rules for a funeral procession on a 4-lane road with a center turning lane? Do the cars coming at the funeral procession need to stop? May a car pass to the left of the procession, if the procession is in the right-hand lane? Or do all the cars need to stay behind the procession. Hope you can answer this for me.

Or, this question from reader, De, who wrote:

I understand that the general public may not interrupt a funeral procession. I have heard that emergency vehicles are prohibited from cutting through a funeral procession as well. I have also heard that federal employees such as postal workers MAY interrupt a procession. Is this right? What is the law pertaining to funeral processions?

And final, this question from my co-worker, Linda Odette, who wrote:

Just got back from a funeral and we were talking about funeral etiquette on the highway and I wondered, what if someone is traveling the they still have to pull over?

OK, so maybe it's not as cut and dry as I thought. The above readers have my permission to be smug. (Not you Linda)

So what does Michigan State Police traffic law expert Sgt. Mike Church have to say about all this?

Church said the statute that governs this says:

1. Funeral processions have the right of way over all vehicles except fire apparatus, ambulances, and police vehicles.

2. They must have a fluorescent orange flag with an appropriate symbol on it.

3. It is a civil infraction to cut through a funeral procession.

So to address De's question: No. Emergency vehicles do not have to yield the right of way to funeral processions.

I think we can all agree that this is a good thing since assistance from said emergency vehicles may very well help avoid the need for a funeral procession.

But what about Anne and Linda's question? Do drivers need to pull over?

"Obviously, vehicles should be appropriately respectful of funeral processions, however, they are not required to pull over," Church said.

"My grandfather recently passed away," he added. "During the funeral procession, I noticed numerous oncoming cars pulling to the right shoulder and stopping. This is not required and could be potentially dangerous."

So, not only do you not have to pull over, but if you do you could cause a crash.

OK, that wraps up this week's traffic talk. I hope you all learned something because I sure did.


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