1. (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.

2. (2) 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:

   1. (a) When the right-of-way is required by an emergency vehicle as defined by KRS 189.910;
   2. (b) When vehicles in the procession are directed otherwise by a police or safety officer; or
   3. (c) When the vehicle is a train or locomotive.
3. (3) 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.

4. (4) 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:

   1. (a) The person is authorized to do so by a police or safety officer; or
   2. (b) The vehicle is an emergency vehicle as defined by KRS 189.910.
5. (5) 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.
6. (6) 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.
7. (7) 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.

8. (8) 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:

   1. (a) The person is directed to do so by a police or safety officer;
   2. (b) The procession is on a street, road, or highway outside the corporate limits of a city, town, or urban-county; or
   3. (c) The procession is on an interstate highway or a state parkway.
9. (9) 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.