Washington State drivers are required to yield to vehicles in a funeral procession. It is state law to yield the right of way. The laws are clear about how drivers should react when a funeral procession is on the move. In Washington, there are rules that dictate how funeral processions must function on the road. Traffic issues are enough in the city even without drivers making it worse during funeral processions. Drivers in the procession, and not a part of it, must know what to do.
First, the procession should proceed to its desired destination via the most direct route that’s legal. In addition, escort vehicles must accompany the procession for traffic control purposes and be approved by the chief of police. And, all cars that are a part of the procession is required to identify itself to others. Some use headlights while others use pennant flags. However, it can be any other method the chief of police deems sufficient.
It’s illegal to operate a vehicle inside a procession if you aren’t actually part of the formal funeral process. This means it’s illegal to merge your vehicle between others in the procession, for instance. However, the law says this provision doesn’t apply at intersections with traffic control devices unless a police officer is present to direct traffic.
It is easier to be in a procession when everyong knows what do and what not to do. All vehicles in a procession must drive as close to the right-hand edge of a roadway as possible. Drivers in the procession has to follow as close to the procession vehicle ahead of it as possible, safety permitting. A funeral procession is important. It is a tradition where a body is transported from a funeral home or place of worship to a burial ground.
Many funerals are on Saturdays. One can wake up on a Saturday morning to see vehicles riding in a single file. The funeral directors lead the vehicles, and the hearse carrying the casket follows behind. Family members and close friends to the deceased typically follow the lead cars.
