Discussions

A reminder to motorists when coming across a funeral procession.  
 
 
Just remember that funeral processions have the right-of-way.  
 
Here are some additional Do’s and Don’ts on how to handle a funeral procession that passes through an area where you are driving:  
 
Do be respectful.  
 
Do yield – once the lead car has entered traffic, such as going through an intersection – the entire procession will follow without interruption. Even if their traffic light is red and yours is green, you must stop and allow the procession to continue through the intersection until all cars in the procession have passed.  
 
Do look for the last vehicle in the procession – it typically has 2 or more flags and a hazard lights flashing. Once it passes by, you may resume the normal flow of traffic.  
 
Don’t cut into or cut off a procession.  
 
Don’t honk at a car in a funeral procession.  
 
Don’t pass a funeral procession on the right side on a highway, unless the procession is in the far left lane  
 
See more at: https://www.funeralwise.com/learn/procession/#sthash.jS6Os0Zm.dpuf

think I've ever seen a car with 2 or more flags with hazards going here denoting the end.  
 
I believe in Canada, all vehicles in a funeral procession have to have hazard lights going since vehicles have Daytime Running Lights on when the vehicle is running.

if you are in a funeral procession, do you just get to go through red lights? I have been in a few procession's in Brandon and we always stopped at the red lights. Because sure enough say going down 18th street the right hand lane car notices and stop, the car in the left just thinks to other car is slowing down and watching that car, but also see's the light as green, he certainly will not be thinking funeral procession, especially if the hearse has already gone through the set of lights and is a block ahead. I will just stop at a red light and catch up to the procession later. Better to do that, than to deal with someone who has a green light, but does not know the rules of a funeral possession, which I would guess is 90% of the population.

part of the procession and have the hazards on you are allowed to go through red lights to stay with the procession.

Trevor B said "part of the procession and have the hazards on you are allowed to go through red lights to stay with the procession. "

you are allowed, but what about the guy with the green light, does he know that? If I am the car right behind the hearse, I would go through the light, any further back and I will stop at the red. Too many people will be centered on that green light and keep going, not even realizing there is a procession going on.

Read the drivers ed handbook. Funeral processions can go through red lights. And usually there is a police car in front to escort them, so there is no problem. Anyone who is not in the procession at a green light and doesn't know this needs to re-take their drivers test.  
 
I was once in a funeral procession and a young driver was going too fast and accidentally entered our procession. It was embarassing for him once he realized, and all of us shook our heads. It's already an upsetting time without having another driver cut you off.

Unfortunately, I have been in 2 funeral processions as of lately, and neither had a police escort. Not sure where you are from, but I have not seen this is Brandon.  
Also, I don't think people necessarily "cut off" or intercept a funeral procession on purpose. Sometimes, you don't realize it is a procession. No need to get hasty

There's never a police escort.

Starblanket01 said "There's never a police escort. "

I've been to a funeral where the police had a car blocking 18th & Vic. It was a big funeral though. Not sure if the funeral home requested it or how it came to be, but it does happen sometimes.

I was in a funeral procession in Portage recently and was amazed at how the drivers not only gave us the right of way but the oncoming traffic also pulled over and stopped. It was less than ten vehicles long but I was impressed at the respect that had been taught to these people.  
 
The key to going through a red light is to stay within a couple of meters of the car ahead. Green does not mean go, it means check to see if it is safe to proceed. Do not slow for the amber or stop for the red. Stay within half a car length of the one in front of you so the cross traffic cannot get through. I paused at the stop sign in Portage just long enough to confirm that the other vehicle had stopped for the procession. A nod of appreciation as I quickly closed the distance.