Can you follow a hearse through a red light?

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Quick Answer

In most cases, yes, you can follow a hearse through a red light as long as you do so safely. Hearses often get special privileges when it comes to traffic laws, allowing them to proceed through red lights and stop signs with caution when carrying a body. The purpose is to allow a timely and respectful transfer of the deceased to their final resting place. As a regular driver, you are typically permitted to follow a hearse through an intersection if you do so cautiously and yield to any oncoming traffic. However, check your local laws to be certain.

What are the traffic laws regarding hearses?

Hearses are granted special privileges when it comes to obeying traffic signals and signs:

A hearse carrying a body is allowed to carefully proceed through a red light after stopping. The hearse must yield to oncoming crossing traffic.
Hearses can also cautiously drive through stop signs after coming to a full stop. Again, they must yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and pedestrians.
The special privileges apply only when the hearse is actively carrying a body to or from a funeral service.

Hearse drivers must use good judgment and ensure it is safe before proceeding against the light or stop sign.

These traffic courtesies for hearses are designed to facilitate a timely and respectful transfer of a deceased person to their final resting place. Waiting for prolonged red lights could cause unnecessary delays to funeral processions. Allowing hearses extra privileges can help maintain the solemnity of the occasion.

Relevant Laws

The laws governing hearse traffic privileges vary by state:

In Texas, hearses have the right-of-way at intersections and may proceed through red lights or stop signs after yielding to oncoming traffic.
California allows hearses to run red lights and stop signs after stopping, but only if escorted by law enforcement.
In New York, hearses in funeral processions may enter an intersection without stopping and must be granted the right-of-way.

Always check your local laws to understand the specific traffic rules and privileges granted to hearses in your state. The laws can differ significantly across states.

Can other drivers follow a hearse through a red light?

Generally, yes. Regular drivers are permitted to carefully follow a hearse through a red light under most state laws. However, there are important stipulations:

You may only proceed after coming to a complete stop behind the hearse.

Only cross the intersection if it is safe to do so, yielding to all oncoming traffic.
Use extreme caution when following a hearse through a light, watching out for pedestrians, cross traffic, and oncoming vehicles at all times.
You must maintain a safe traveling distance behind the hearse.

Only cross when directly behind the hearse – do not try to squeeze through the light alongside it.

The same guidance applies to stop signs. You may cautiously proceed through after the hearse, but only while exercising proper safety and caution.

Never attempt to speed through behind the hearse or take risky chances. Safety is paramount.

Relevant Laws

Here are some state laws regarding other vehicles following a hearse through a light:

In California, regular drivers may proceed through a red light after stopping if they remain immediately behind the hearse.
Ohio allows vehicles in funeral processions to follow hearses through intersections while displaying funeral flags.

In Minnesota, funeral procession vehicles following a hearse may enter an intersection without stopping but must yield to oncoming traffic.

Again, confirm and follow the specific laws where you live. Never automatically assume you can follow a hearse through a light.

When can’t you follow a hearse through a red light?

There are some important exceptions where it is illegal to follow a hearse through a red light:

If you did not come to a complete stop first before the light.
If you are not exercising proper caution and yielding to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians.
If you try to squeeze alongside the hearse rather than follow directly behind it.

If the hearse had already cleared the intersection before you entered it.
If following the hearse would cause an unsafe traffic situation or disturb the peace.
If there is a law enforcement officer, crossing guard, or other traffic direction overriding the light.

If hearses are not granted special privileges under your state or local laws.

Safety and common sense should always be your top priorities. Only proceed through a red light when 100% safe and legal to do so. When in doubt, wait for the light.

Are there other special traffic privileges for funeral processions?

Beyond hearses, many states also grant other traffic courtesies to vehicles in funeral processions:

Funeral processions have the right-of-way at intersections and may proceed together through red lights after stopping.
Processions can use special flashing funeral lights to identify themselves to other drivers.
Vehicles may follow very closely in a procession and are exempt from normal following distance laws.

Funeral escorts and law enforcement often assist in directing traffic and allowing funeral processions to safely proceed together.

However, these privileges vary significantly by state. Always check local laws and observe proper safety procedures. Never automatically assume you can follow a funeral procession through a red light without caution.

What if emergency vehicles must get through?

Hearses must always yield right-of-way to emergency vehicles with lights and sirens activated. These include police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks responding to emergency calls.

If an emergency vehicle approaches your intersection while a hearse passes through, allow the emergency vehicle to safely proceed first before entering the intersection behind the hearse.

Safely pull to the right side of the road and stop if you are in a funeral procession and an emergency vehicle needs to get through from behind. Enable them to safely and swiftly pass when it is possible to do so.

Can I get a ticket for improperly following a hearse?

Yes. Law enforcement officers can issue traffic citations if you do not exercise proper care and caution when following a hearse through a red light or stop sign. Potential infractions include:

Failure to stop before initially proceeding against the light.
Failure to yield right-of-way to oncoming traffic or pedestrians.
Following too closely behind the hearse.

Reckless driving.
Running a red light if not directly behind the hearse in procession.

Fines and fees for these violations can be significant depending on the severity and jurisdiction. Drive with care when following a hearse and conform fully to all local traffic laws.

What should you do when approaching a hearse at an intersection?

Here are smart tips for safely navigating interactions with hearses at intersections:

Slow down and prepare to stop if you see a hearse stopped ahead.
Come to a complete stop well behind the hearse.

Wait for the hearse to proceed safely through the intersection before entering.
Watch for oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Proceed only when safe.
Maintain a safe following distance behind the hearse.

Never rush through the light alongside the hearse.

Following these common sense precautions allows hearses to fulfill their important ceremonial role while avoiding dangerous traffic situations. Simply use patience, caution and courtesy when encountering a hearse on the road.

Conclusion

In most states, drivers are permitted to carefully follow a hearse through a red light or stop sign out of respect for funeral processions. However, this privilege comes with great responsibility. You must come to a full stop, yield to all oncoming traffic, refrain from passing the hearse, and only proceed when 100% safe to do so. Confirm your local laws. While the law does grant hearses special allowances, the utmost safety of all road users remains paramount at all times. With courtesy and common sense, we can collectively keep our intersections safe and orderly when hearses pass through.