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

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.