Are Oklahomans required by law to pull over for funeral processions? What we know
QUESTION: Is it a common courtesy or an Oklahoma law for me to pull over and stop when encountering a funeral procession? Does it work both ways? Should I pull over when the line of cars is on my side and wait for the procession to go by and also pull over when the procession is coming the other way?
CALLIE’S ANSWER: Yes, it is a law for you to pull over and wait for the funeral procession to conclude. Pull over to the right side and be respectful until the last car.
LILLIE-BETH’S ANSWER: I can’t speak to the law, although our guest contributor today is an attorney and answers the legal question. But I do believe we need to be pulling over for funeral processions, both as a sign of respect for the deceased and also as a safety issue so the cars can travel together from the funeral to the burial site. Often, there are police escorts for this to help manage traffic. Yes, I think traffic on both sides of the road needs to pull over, although on a highway I can see why you wouldn’t stop for a procession going in the opposite direction. Be mindful of safety at all times, and make it a habit to pull over in a safe spot when you have a funeral procession passing through.
HELEN’S ANSWER: I was definitely brought up to pull over if there was a funeral procession. It is certainly a time- honored tradition to pull over when encountering a procession. It is a show of respect. Some local traffic ordinances give the procession the right of way, and even, if you don’t know for sure, you should yield to the procession.
Most cars in a funeral procession drive slowly and close together behind the hearse with their lights turned on so that they are easily identified. Some processions are accompanied with a police escort. Use good judgment when pulling over, so that you don’t cause a wreck.
GUEST’S ANSWER: Sheryl S. Sullivan, attorney at law in Oklahoma City: I believe it is a courtesy as well as a custom to pull over on either side of the road to allow a funeral procession to pass. Title 47 of the Oklahoma Statutes, Section 11-315 - Funeral or Other Authorized Procession - No Driving Between Vehicles - Penalties for Conviction also provides that “No driver of a motor vehicle shall drive between the vehicles comprising a funeral or other authorized procession while the vehicles are in motion and when such vehicles are conspicuously designated. This provision shall not apply at intersections where traffic is controlled by traffic signals or police officers.” This is considered to be, and is punishable as, a misdemeanor.
Since 2009, Callie, Lillie-Beth and Helen have written this generational etiquette column. They also include guest responses from a wide range of ages each week. So many years later, Callie is 20-plus; Lillie-Beth is 40-plus and Helen is 60-plus. To ask an etiquette question, email helen.wallace@cox.net.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma drivers should pull over for funeral processions
