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189.378 Funeral processions.
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"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.
A vehicle in a funeral procession has the right-of-way at an intersection and may
proceed through the intersection if the procession is led by an escort vehicle
displaying flashing yellow, red, or blue lights, except:
(a) When the right-of-way is required by an emergency vehicle as defined by
KRS 189.910;
(b) When vehicles in the procession are directed otherwise by a police or safety
officer; or
(c) When the vehicle is a train or locomotive.
Before assuming the right-of-way, a person who drives a vehicle in a funeral
procession shall exercise due caution with regard to crossing traffic.
A person who drives a vehicle that is not part of a funeral procession shall not drive
the vehicle between the vehicles of the funeral procession or otherwise interfere
with the progress of the procession, except when:
(a) The person is authorized to do so by a police or safety officer; or
(b) The vehicle is an emergency vehicle as defined by KRS 189.910.
A person who drives a vehicle that is not a part of a funeral procession shall not
illuminate the vehicle headlights or engage in any other act for the purpose of
securing the right-of-way granted to funeral processions.
The escort vehicle, hearse, or other vehicles in a procession may be equipped with
flashing amber lights for the purpose of notifying the general public of the
procession and gaining the right-of-way at intersections, or signaling the end of a
procession.
Persons authorized to use flashing lights as defined in KRS 189.920 may use them
while accompanying a funeral procession to warn traffic that a procession is
approaching or that it is in progress.
When a funeral procession is in progress, a person driving a vehicle not in the
procession shall not pass or overtake any vehicle in the procession unless:
(a) The person is directed to do so by a police or safety officer;
(b) The procession is on a street, road, or highway outside the corporate limits of
a city, town, or urban-county; or
(c) The procession is on an interstate highway or a state parkway.
Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.
Effective: July 15, 1996
History: Created 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 251, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1996.
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