saw a RLC on overload

Funeral processions are treated as "emergency" vehicles in that they are under the direction of an escort which controls the traffic at the intersections. The escort stops traffic no matter the state of the signal and directs the procession through. Another driver that causes a collision with a vehicle which is part of the procession is liable no matter what their signal showed.

What a horrible thing to have to deliberate, and think about, while making your way as part of a funeral procession.

Even worse if someone received one.

Wonder if that applies in NYC....the last funeral I went to involved going over the GW Bridge, Harlem River Drive, and over to Queens. I can't imagine being able to blow through lights just because we were a funeral procession. I distinctly remember stopping for tolls and red lights, and the procession all arriving at different times due to the lights.

I wonder if the RLC company will still mail the tickets and try to collect??.

I wouldn't be surprised if everyone in the precession gets a ticket. How is the RLC reviewer supposed to know they are part of the procession or not?

Not all funeral processions are under the direction of a qualified escort (police officer)

I don't think there is a uniform policy regarding stopping at a red light. I found a link, not sure if it's current.

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2004/rpt/2004-R-0303.htm

I absolutely don't agree with your blanket statement regarding liability. Traditionally drivers in a funeral procession drive with their lights on so other drivers know there is a funeral procession. Many cars now have running lights which are on during daylight hours. A driver can see his green light but might not realize drivers in a procession will be running the red light.

I don't think that funeral processions are free to ignore red lights.

Actually, emergency vehicles; police, ambulances, etc, are also not supposed to run red lights. If they hit another vehicle while doing so, the emergency vehicle is at fault.

When I was driving an ambulance, I had a strobe light on my roof that would be read by many modern traffic signals. The signal would turn yellow, then green at my approach.

Nothing like the all mighty dollar that doesn't care if your sad or happy.

According to the Ohio Revised Code, section 4511.45.1 & 4511.451, funeral processions have the right of way through an intersection as long as the headlights are lighted and the vehicle is displaying a purple and white pennant attached to the vehicle. The only exception to this is that emergency vehicles; e.g.; police vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances, etc., have the right of way if they are displaying flashing lights and sounding a siren. (ORC 4511.45) (This is to say that if a funeral procession is proceeding through an intersection and a fire truck approaches with it's lights and siren on, the funeral procession must yield to the fire truck.) The only stipulation to having the right of way is that the lead vehicle has to enter the intersection lawfully. Once that takes place, the entire procession has the right of way through the intersection although they must use due care to avoid colliding with any other vehicle or pedestrian.

If you are in a funeral escorted by police you are OK running red-lights, because they have a car or motorcycle at each intersection.

I found this about red lights and funeral processions: http://mpdc.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1240,q,547900,mpdcNav_GID,1552,mpdcNav,|31885|.asp

This one has another one: http://articles.mcall.com/2010-07-26/news/mc-road-warrior-fu...

This one is the example of what is wrong with many rules and opinions. Here it is clear that the fine print is not being followed. Read as see the photos in this link:
http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/21006946288850/woman...

Red light cameras and funerals:

We were involved in a funeral here in Illinois and all the drivers received tickets for blowing the red-lights. The drivers had to prove that they were driving in a funeral to dismiss the tickets.

Most funeral processions I've seen in these parts are escorted. I've been in one that crossed town via city streets and I-20 helped by two Harley mounted officers playing leapfrog, but we didn't pass through any intersections with RLCs. That would have made the trip even more interesting.

Geo/ATL

This has been discussed several times in the past on POI Factory.

In New York State and most states a funeral procession is recognized by law but it has no special rights - it must comply with the law. The only exception would be to obey a police officer directing traffic. I know what is done by custom but funeral processions are violating the law every day.

dobs108

Perhaps it would be in everyone's best interest if the RLC companies provided local mortuaries with lists and maps of local camera locations and politely asked the mortuaries to avoid those intersections when leading a procession.

Funeral processions have the right of way. As one poster mentioned it is up to the escort to stop traffic and no one will get a ticket who was part of the procession. Just like when an emergency vehicle busts a red light, they don't get sent a ticket. All citations are reviewed and is very easy to tell who is legal and who is not.