Q: Is there a requirement in Georgia for on-coming traffic to stop when meeting a funeral procession on highways?
As a driver in Georgia living near a national cemetery, I meet funeral processions more often than drivers in other locations. The "custom" here is for oncoming traffic to stop -- sometimes pulling over, but sometimes in the travel lane -- until the procession is past. I know this is done in a lot of places, but sometimes what is done around here seems to create more problems than it would possibly alleviate. For example. 4-lane highway divided by yellow-line markings and left turn lanes: I have seen traffic in both oncoming lanes stop in the travel lanes, creating an rear-ender hazard. I would just like to know if this is a legal requirement or simply a local custom.
A:
Georgia law provides that funeral processions have the right of way at intersections, unless they are approached by an emergency vehicle or signaled by a law enforcement officer to let other vehicles pass. It is illegal to cut into a procession’s line of vehicles and to pass a procession on a two-lane highway; violators can be fined up to $100.
While it is not required on a four lane highway, it is certainly customary.
I wish you well.
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