§ 27-49-113 — Funeral processions - Right-of-way - Definitions

(a) As used in this section: (1) "Funeral escort vehicle" means a motor vehicle that leads or facilitates the movement of a funeral procession and is equipped as required by § 27-36-306(a)(1) , including without limitation: (A) A hearse; (B) A motor vehicle owned by a funeral home or private funeral escort company; or (C) A motorcycle owned by a funeral home or private funeral escort company; (2) "Funeral procession" means a funeral escort vehicle and one (1) or more motor vehicles accompanying the body or cremated remains of a deceased person from a funeral home, church, or other location to the burial site or cemetery; (3) "Immediate hazard" means any motor vehicle approaching so near or so quickly that a reasonably careful person would realize that there is a danger of collision or accident; and (4) "Motor vehicle" means a vehicle that is self-propelled and used to transport a person or property upon a street or highway, including without limitation a motorcycle. (b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a funeral procession may proceed through an intersection without stopping after a funeral escort vehicle has proceeded into the intersection in compliance with any official traffic control device governing the traffic in the intersection. (c) (1) A funeral procession has the right-of-way at an intersection as described under subsection (b) of this section, except that a funeral escort vehicle or a motor vehicle that is a part of a funeral procession shall yield the right-of-way: (A) To an authorized emergency vehicle if the authorized emergency vehicle is displaying its rotating or flashing emergency lights; (B) When directed to yield or stop by a law enforcement officer; (C) To an approaching railroad train; or (D) To oncoming traffic that constitutes an immediate hazard. (2) If a motor vehicle that is a part of a funeral procession becomes separated from the funeral procession so that the funeral procession is no longer continuous, the driver of the motor vehicle shall: (A) Proceed to his or her destination; and (B) Obey all official traffic control devices and general rules of the road. (d) A motor vehicle that is a part of a funeral procession shall: (1) Display its lighted: (A) Headlamps; (B) Tail lamps; and (C) Flashing lights as provided in § 27-36-208(c) ; and (2) Follow the preceding motor vehicle in the funeral procession as closely as is reasonable and prudent to keep the motor vehicles in the funeral procession together.

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2019, No. 394,§ 7, eff. 7/24/2019. Added by Act 2017, No. 816,§ 3, eff. 8/1/2017.