On the Road Again

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Q: What are people are supposed to do when driving in a funeral procession?

I was driving in the middle of a funeral procession and when the light turned red and I stopped. When I arrived at the cemetery, I was told I was not supposed to stop and I should have kept going through. There was no police escort, so I feel I made the correct choice.

A lot of people seem to think they are excused from the traffic laws when they are in a funeral line. Could you please clarify the funeral procession rules for drivers?

A: Each day dozens of funeral processions wind their way through the streets of the GTA, some with a significant number of vehicles. When driving in a funeral procession, motorists need to be aware of the law and not be guided by historical traditions, many of which are misleading and illegal.

Funeral processions are not afforded any concessions or special considerations under the Highway Traffic Act and the old belief of a funeral always having the right of way is simply incorrect.

Motorists driving in a funeral procession must obey all the traffic laws unless the funeral is being escorted by a police officer directing traffic and the officer gives specific instructions or signals to the motorists in the cortege.

Without a police escort, motorists must obey all the laws and are not permitted to disobey red lights, stop signs or any other traffic signs placed on the roadway.

What typically occurs once the procession begins is a 'follow the leader' effect often due to the fact people are unfamiliar with the location of the church or cemetery and have a fear of being separated from the pack or getting lost.

This usually results in some pretty bad (driving) behaviour as drivers risk their lives and the lives of others by running red lights, stop signs and committing a variety of other offences in a desperate effort to keep up with the pack.

Technology is also playing a key role these days as many signalized intersections within the City of Toronto are now equipped with red light cameras programmed to capture the images of vehicles that run through red lights.

Here's the scenario, the red light camera activates when a driver fails to stop for the red light and a few weeks later the unsuspecting owner of the vehicle receives a $190 ticket in the mail.

More importantly though, should an accident occur during the funeral procession where traffic laws have been broken, charges may be laid and there may also be some associated civil liability for the 'at fault' driver or owner.

While attending a funeral is certainly a sad and emotional occasion, chances are your insurance company will not be as sympathetic.

The best advice that I can offer any motorist participating in a funeral procession is prior to attending the service or burial, make sure you know the exact location (street address if possible) where the service is to be held as well where the interment is to take place.

That way if you happen to become separated from the group, you won't run the risk getting lost, being late or becoming involved in a traffic mishap.

Remember that funeral processions, while well-intentioned and often viewed as an important part of the grieving process, do not relieve drivers of their responsibilities under the law.