61-8-380. Funeral procession right-of-way -- funeral lead vehicle and funeral escort vehicle in funeral procession. (1) Except as provided in subsection (4), pedestrians and operators of motor vehicles shall yield the right-of-way to a motor vehicle that is part of a funeral procession being led by a funeral lead vehicle or a funeral escort vehicle.
     (2) After a funeral lead vehicle enters an intersection, the other vehicles in the funeral procession may continue to follow the funeral lead vehicle through the intersection despite any official traffic control device, right-of-way provisions of this chapter, or local ordinance if the operator exercises reasonable care toward any other vehicle or pedestrian. When the funeral lead vehicle arrives at an intersection, it must comply with the requirements of any official traffic control device, right-of-way provision of this chapter, and local ordinance.
     (3) Except as provided in subsection (4), a driver of a funeral escort vehicle may direct the drivers of other vehicles in a funeral procession to proceed through an intersection or to make turns or other movements despite any official traffic control device. The driver of a funeral escort vehicle may direct and control the drivers of vehicles not in a funeral procession, including those in or approaching an intersection, to stop, proceed, or make turns or other movements without regard to an official traffic control device. Persons directing traffic shall comply with the provisions of 61-1-411. However, use of a funeral escort vehicle is not required.
     (4) A vehicle in a funeral procession has the right-of-way at intersections regardless of official traffic control devices provided the driver of that vehicle and the drivers of all vehicles in the funeral procession meet all the requirements of 61-1-413 through 61-1-415 and 61-8-380 through 61-8-384, except that an operator of a vehicle in a funeral procession shall yield the right-of-way to an approaching authorized emergency vehicle giving an audible or visual signal or when directed to do so by a highway patrol officer or police officer. This section does not relieve the driver of a vehicle in a funeral procession from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.

     History: En. Sec. 5, Ch. 338, L. 1991.