288 (“Funeral escort vehicle”) (1) “Funeral escort vehicle” means any two-wheel or three-wheel vehicle that is accompanying a funeral procession and is properly equipped under ORS 811. (a) A vehicle with lighted headlights in a funeral procession has the right-of-way at an intersection and may proceed through the intersection if the procession is headed by a lead or funeral escort vehicle displaying alternately flashing red and blue lights, except if. Funeral procession right-of-way; funeral escort 5 vehicles; certification; fee; definition 6 A. (C) Funeral processions escorted by a law enforcement officer shall have the right of way in any street or highway through which they may pass. (2) when directed to do so by a traffic officer. 090 Procedure for permit denial and revocation – Appeals. The last car will usually have flashing. 2, 2021. Markings for Funeral Escort Vehicle. Funeral processions. Unescorted funeral processions have no authority to go through stop signs or red lights without stopping, or otherwise assume they have the right of way. Although peace officers provide traffic control for funeral processions in Houston, some Texas cities allow funeral processions to be accompanied by private motor vehicle escorts for traffic The Missouri statute states that a funeral lead vehicle has the right of way once the traffic light changes. This written notice will be sent by certified mail, return. For state funerals or the repatriation of veterans, the traffic flow may be regulated by police, but generally a funeral procession is driver-beware. This Metro-State Funeral Escort service has a touching website HERE. This was a sign of respect for the deceased, as well as their mourners. Massachusetts law says a procession must have less than 10 vehicles to have right-of-way. Section 9-21-13-2 - Driving between vehicles of a funeral procession; prohibition; exceptions. (1) “ Facility ” means a building at which any portion of a funeral service takes place, including a funeral parlor, mortuary, private home, or established place of worship. If the violations are too egrigious, most officers will obtain the license number of the escort and file a complaint with the local court. 100 of this Code and any amendments thereto. Advertisement. Furthermore, funeral processions are. 378 - Funeral processions (1) "Funeral procession," as used in this section, means two (2) or more vehicles accompanying the body of a deceased person when each vehicle has its headlights on or is displaying a pennant attached in such a manner as to be clearly visible to approaching traffic. Traffic Regulation Chapter 13. Approaching intersection. Right-of-way at intersections; conditions; exceptions. 316. 9. A funeral procession is led by a traffic officer. A funeral escort officer is designated to be a person wearing a name tag on a uniform distinguishable from the Metropolitan Police. In Virginia, however, a funeral procession has the right of way in an intersection only if it has a police escort, Story said. The practice is a Southern courtesy, not a requirement of law. When the funeral lead vehicle has proceeded across an. Traffic moving the same direction as the procession may even pass on the left on a multi-lane highway if it can be done safely! The law authorizes a vehicle escorting a funeral procession to (1) go through a red light or stop sign after slowing down as necessary, (2) exceed the posted speed limit by up to 15 miles per hour to overtake the procession and direct traffic at the next intersection, and (3) disregard regulations on direction of movement or turning when directi. Section 14A: Funeral processions. All Traffic Section personnel involved in a citizen funeral escort, except lead and/or tail vehicles, must have successfully completed the agency funeral escort training. (a) Regardless of any traffic control device or right-of-way provisions prescribed by state or local ordinance, pedestrians, and operators of all vehicles, except as stated in paragraph (c), shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which is part of a funeral. Each vehicle of a funeral procession, when identified with lighted headlamps, and each escort vehicle, when identified by the operation of red overhead emergency lights, may proceed regardless of official traffic control devices, and shall have the right of way over any other vehicle, and the operator of any other vehicle shall yield the right of way regardless of traffic directions. Share. In most cases, funeral processions have the right of way, but only police have the authority to direct them through a red light. 050. This law is in place to ensure that the deceased and their family are respected and that the procession is not disturbed. Section 9-21-13-3 - Formation of procession and lighting headlights for purpose of securing right-of-way; prohibition. § 9-21-13-4. Funeral. It is also acceptable to pull over and wait for the procession to pass as a sign of respect. 005. According to Florida law, funeral processions have the right-of-way at intersections regardless of traffic control devices, giving an audible or visible sign. According to Massachusetts law, a funeral procession of ten vehicles or less has the right to drive on any public road subject to the same regulations and restrictions as a funeral procession of twelve or more. Then, once the service is over, everyone leaves together. KOCO 5 was told this was over safety concerns. the operator may: (1) park or stand, irrespective of another provision of this subtitle; (2) proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, after slowing as necessary for safe operation; (3) exceed a. Most of the rest of Canada does not have the right-of-way for funeral processions, and they must follow the same set of road rules as everyone else. Funeral homes. A driver of a funeral escort vehicle who is certified pursuant to subsection D of this section may direct and control the drivers of vehicles in a funeral procession and any other vehicle in or approaching any intersection to stop, proceed or make the turns or other movements as required without regard to any traffic control device prescribed. Any person holding a valid funeral escort permit pursuant to this chapter and leading or otherwise escorting a motor vehicle funeral procession shall obey all traffic laws, including all speed laws, except that such person is authorized to stop cross traffic, to enable all vehicles in the funeral procession to proceed together as an unbroken chain, at. California law. Funeral music may be played. on the lead vehicle or led by a properly identified escort shall have the right-of-way on any street, highway, or road through which they may pass, subject to the following provisions: (1) The operator of the leading vehicle in a funeral procession shall comply with stop signs and traffic-control signals . (In most cities, you are required to hire a procession service to help stop traffic and ensure the safety of everyone on the road). But this decision was purely political. Funeral Escort Requirements a. Idaho defines a funeral procession as “two or more vehicles accompanying the body of a deceased person, in the daylight hours, including a funeral lead vehicle or a funeral escort vehicle. (a) A funeral escort vehicle equipped with and using an oscillating or flashing yellow light on its roof and with headlights lighted shall be considered part of the funeral procession which it is escorting and shall have the same right of way as any other car in the funeral procession. If I remember right, years ago it was around $150 per motorcycle. A. 2218. approaching traffic. (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;Speeding through traffic and blocking intersections to allow mourners to pass unobstructed through red lights does not have to be one of them, Sexton said. Already have an account? Texas Penal Code - PENAL § 42. There were 612 funeral escorts last year, which would bring in $91,800 to the city under the mayor’s proposal. 812. “Funeral escort vehicle” means any motor vehicle used as a funeral lead vehicle and properly equipped pursuant to subsection B of this section; 4. (c) Headlights to be on. The changes to police escorts and funeral trends seem to reflect our changing attitudes about processions around the country and their growing danger. 6 A funeral procession accompanied by an escort officer shall have the right-of-way and have the right to proceed through an intersection where the traffic control device normally would require a stop. Virginia gives right-of-way to a funeral procession only if it is escorted by a police or Sherriff’s escort. 1974 Funeral procession right-of-way and liability. Indianapolis Funeral Escorts performs a number of processions daily. Your right David Craig. California law. It only says that if a procession takes longer than five minutes, it must be interrupted so waiting traffic can cross the intersection. A traffic stop could indicate you have committed a minor traffic violation with-out realizing it. A person may operate a vehicle to facilitate the movement of a funeral procession for a funeral escort service only if the person has successfully completed a training program in traffic direction as defined by theRegarding "Police escort duty has perils" (Page B1, Monday), your story on police-escort duty on funeral processions hit a nerve with me. Depending on the state, either two or four flags are required. The procession is allowed to keep moving as a group as if there was no traffic light. (C) Funeral processions escorted by a law enforcement officer shall have the right of way in any street or highway through which they may pass. The Tennessee Code Annotated 55-8-183, says no driver shall ‘“fail to yield the right of way” to a funeral. The Tennessee Code Annotated 55-8-183, says no driver shall ‘“fail to yield the right of way” to a funeral. 42. If a funeral procession is without police escort, they are at the mercy of the motorists. Section 9-21-13-1 - Right-of-way at intersections; conditions; exceptions. It's against the law, but on less busy roads. The procession is on an interstate highway or state parkway. 16. In other states, the lead. (1) yield the right-of-way; (2) immediately drive to a position parallel to and as close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection; and (3) stop and remain standing until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed. They generally are from our traffic safety unit. (2) Operators of vehicles in a funeral procession shall yield the right of way when directed to do so by a traffic officer. Funeral processions. 2. 2d 64, 66 (Fla. 1974 says that when the funeral procession's lead vehicle lawfully enters an intersection, either by reason of a traffic control device or at the direction of law enforcement. g. C. The funeral escort vehicle may (1) direct the other vehicles in the procession to proceed through an intersection or to make any other movements or turns, regardless of any. "It used to be that funeral processions would. . Intersections controlled by stop signs or traffic lights present not only the problems of dealing with cross traffic, but also the problem created by the platoon effect. Of that, $25 goes to the officer and the city keeps $5 for use of the patrol car, said Lt. Funeral processions necessitate the removal of vehicles. A funeral procession accompanied by an escort officer shall have the right-of-way and have the right to proceed through an intersection where the traffic control device normally would require a stop. The body. . The 2023 Florida Statutes. Section 14A: Funeral processions Section 14A. "The lead vehicle must comply with stop signs and traffic lights, but once it has done so, all the following vehicles can proceed without stopping, provided they exercise due caution," the office of Legislative. Regs. ( California Health & Safety Code § 102775 (2018). 61-8-384 Liability. Others try to handle suicide funerals by drawing as little attention to them as possible. 804. It's a hallowed and time-honored tradition to have a line of slow-moving cars follow a hearse to a person's final resting place. The streets are a mess and the S. The experience and training of the escort team makes a difference. Police escort fewer funeral processions. Operators of vehicles in a funeral procession shall yield the right of way when directed to do so by a traffic officer. Here are the rules, according to state law: A funeral procession shall proceed to the place of interment by the most direct route which is both legal and practicable. Funeral escort vehicles and other vehicles in a funeral procession shall yield the right of way when directed to do so by a law enforcement officer. We have support of city personnel,” New Mexico Crusaders for Justice co-founder Sally Sanchez told KOAT. HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (a) “Funeral director” and “funeral establishment” shall have the same meaning as set forth in s. Florida Statute 316. (2)directed by a funeral escort to lawfully enter an intersection, the remaining vehicles in the funeral procession may follow such funeral lead vehicle through the intersection regardless of any traffic control devices or right-of-way provisions prescribed by state law, city ordinance or county resolution. shall allow a funeral escort service to facilitate the movement of traffic for a funeral procession. According to Massachusetts law, a funeral procession of ten vehicles or less has the right to drive on any public road subject to the same regulations and restrictions as a funeral. Try to beat it through the intersection d. (In some parts of the country the custom is to pull off to the right until the procession passes. 5. (2) when directed to do so by a traffic officer. The escorts were not local or state police. . 11-804. Funeral vehicles must have headlights and tail lights on in Florida, according to the law. 48% of American states have a law that allows vehicles in a funeral convoy to pass through a red light but only when the lead vehicle has done so legally or with a police escort. Same; right-of-way at intersections; funeral escort rights and duties; exceptions. Transportation § 28-776. Although peace officers provide traffic control for funeral processions in Houston, some Texas cities allow funeral processions to be accompanied by private motor vehicle escorts for traffic. B. Funeral escorts help protect the procession by bringing awareness to other motorists on the road, alerting them of a funeral presence. Funeral home vehicles may display red/blue lights and siren. 7. A. 10. The following suggested order of events would be appropriate for a formal, full-honors funeral. Once, Ruck added, “to show you, unfortunately, how some people don’t watch when they are driving, I was in a funeral procession with a police escort, and someone cut right in between the. 316. State Regulations ; Compare Motorcycles used as funeral escort vehicles, except motorcycles used by public law enforcement officers or other persons sworn to enforce the criminal and traffic laws of the state, shall be governed by the following standards and specifications. Article 13. polpotwasright • 4 yr. In fact, it could be dangerous to do so. Funeral vehicles must yield the right-of-way to drivers traveling in Illinois and Ohio under state law. Motorcycle LEO's are only used by Cincinnati and the OHP. SB 356 / Page 2 • the qualifications of a m otorcycle funeral escort ; • the license application a nd renewal procedures ; • the reasons for and methods of revoking a motorcycle funeral escort license ; • the manner in which a licensed motorcycle funeral escort may stop traffic ; and • any other provisions re lating to motorcycle funeral. (b) When two vehicles enter an intersection controlled by stop signs or by. a)After slowing down and looking carefully. TRAINING. up to that time, the police routinely did funeral escorts everyday in all the jurisdictions. we will be able to come. The most relevant bits are the following: (c) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection, pedestrians and operators of all vehicles shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which is part of a funeral procession being led by a funeral escort vehicle or a funeral lead vehicle. It can be very disrespectful to the mourners to butt in, not to mention dangerous. IC 9-21-13-1. ” The bill would authorize funeral escorts to reasonably direct vehicle and pedestrian traffic to allow funeral processions to pass through intersections and disregard traffic control devices, notwithstanding any state law, city ordinance, or county resolution relating to traffic control devices or right-of. ”. The practice is a Southern courtesy, not a requirement of law. did not have right-of-way). In a 2011 crash, five of six people killed in a single funeral procession accident were police officers guiding the processions. “Permittee” means the person to whom a funeral escort permit is. The motorcycle driver determines the safest route and leads the funeral procession, monitoring all traffic control devices at all intersections, and determining whether to stop or proceed,traffic light status, clearance of load from trees and obstacles etc; ¢ assess potential hazards and inform the driver of the oversize vehicle accordingly; ¢ provide ‘rear vision’ when required due to load width. Courts in Tennessee and Florida have found that police and funeral homes that provide escorts for funeral processions can be held liable for crashes that occur during the processions. ) IC 9-21-13-0. Vehicles taking part in a funeral procession have the right-of-way, and if you interfere, obstruct, or interrupt the funeral procession,. Right-of-Way » § 46.