Oct262010

What Is A Tennessee Driver To Do When He Confronts A Funeral Procession?

The other day I witnessed a situation involving a really bad driver, probably drunk, and a funeral procession. Luckily a Metro Police officer was there to witness it and took immediate action to prevent the driver from harming anyone.

As an experienced Tennessee automobile accident attorney I think the least understood of the Tennessee Rules of the Road is what to do when you come upon a funeral procession. In most circumstances a funeral procession is being directed by a private security agency which has no police authority to stop or direct traffic.

In Tennessee, it is a common and accepted practice for oncoming traffic to pull to the side of the roadway as a sign of respect when meeting a funeral precession. Tennessee law instructs the following:

*Vehicles following a funeral procession on a two-lane highway may not attempt to pass such procession; and,

* No operator of a vehicle shall drive between vehicles in a properly identified funeral procession except when directed to do so by a traffic officer.

If you would like to learn more about Tennessee highway safety issues or the Tennessee Rules of the Road visit my web site at Phillip Miller & Associates and check us out.

Jan72010

Tennessee Law Requires Drivers To Yield To Funeral Processions

Yield To Funeral Processions

Yield To Funeral Processions

As an experienced Tennessee automobile accident attorney I think the least understood of the Tennessee Rules of the Road is what to do when you come upon a funeral procession. In most circumstances, the funeral procession is being directed by a private agency officer who has no police authority to stop or direct traffic and motorist don’t feel compelled to follow his/her directions. In Tennessee, it is a common and accepted practice for oncoming traffic to pull to the side of the roadway as a sign of respect when meeting a funeral precession.

Tennessee law instructs the following:

• Vehicles following a funeral procession on a two-lane highway may not attempt to pass such procession; and,

• No operator of a vehicle shall drive between vehicles in a properly identified funeral procession except when directed to do so by a traffic officer.

Reference an article on the website of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reporting on the injury to a funeral escort motorcyclist when a car tried to cut through the procession and turned in front of him while he was directing a funeral procession. The driver of the car was given a citation for failing to yield to a funeral procession.

A co-worker of the injured man said that people cutting through funeral processions are a constant problem for escort services, particularly in Memphis. The co-worker added that in outlying areas, such as Southaven and Millington, motorists pull over respectfully and wait for the group to pass.

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee automobile accident contact the experienced Nashville car crash lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates to find out about your rights and remedies.