The minister is concerned about the situation that occurred to his car during the funeral procession.
On Monday, August 13, Thomas Novak's car was hit at the crossroads. His car was the fourth in the 10-car procession.
When he reached the crossroads, he saw the yellow light. However, he had nothing to do, but to continue his movement, because six more cars were following him. He appeared at the middle of the crossroads when he felt that somebody drove into his car.
He said that he had not only adults but also children in his car. In Canadian rules of the road, there are special purposes for funeral trains. However, cremation is gaining increasing popularity and people just do not know how to behave when meeting with the funeral train.
According to these rules, the procession has the right to go even to the red light at a low speed. All the vehicles in the procession have the lights on so the rest of the drivers can determine the first and the last car.
The first car can even have a flasher and inform surrounding vehicles about the procession. Drivers should pass cars in such a situation.
Thomas Novak informed that he takes part in funeral processions several times a week and he sees a lot of violations of Traffic Laws. Drivers are lost in such situations and interfere with the free passage of the train.
The minister added that there were violations on the part of the drivers of the leading car in the procession. So, having driven up to a crossroads, the driver should stop and wait for all the cars of the processions. Then he must cross the intersection at a speed of no more than 7 km per hour.
At the time of the car crash, he observed that the driver of the first car was moving at a speed of 40 km per hour. In his opinion, the situation is impermissible, drivers of funeral trains should undergo special training and be aware of the rules their behavior on the road.
Also, the minister expressed his desire to stop holding the funeral procession in general. However, the Association of Funeral Services of Manitoba reported that it does not intend to do this and processions should take place in people's lives, as this is one of the parts of the act of farewell to close people.
Novak said that it would be better if people come to the cemetery on their own, without funeral trains.
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