Funeral processions

In Kentucky, a funeral procession led by an escort vehicle with flashing lights has the right of way at intersections. Other drivers may not cut into the procession or interfere with it.

What counts as a funeral procession

The law defines a funeral procession as two or more vehicles accompanying the body of a person who has died, when each vehicle has its headlights on or displays a pennant that approaching traffic can clearly see. The escort vehicle, the hearse and other vehicles in the procession may use flashing amber lights to alert the public, to gain the right of way at intersections and to mark the end of the procession.

Right of way at intersections

A vehicle in a procession has the right of way at an intersection, and may proceed through it, if the procession is led by an escort vehicle displaying flashing yellow, red or blue lights. There are three exceptions:

• An emergency vehicle needs the right of way.
• A police or safety officer directs the vehicles in the procession to do something else.
• The other vehicle is a train or locomotive.

Drivers in the procession still have a duty to be careful. Before taking the right of way, each driver must use due caution with regard to crossing traffic.

What other drivers may not do

A driver who is not part of the procession may not:

• Drive between the vehicles of a procession or otherwise interfere with its progress, unless a police or safety officer authorizes it. Emergency vehicles are exempt.
• Turn on headlights, or do anything else, for the purpose of getting the right of way that the law gives to processions.
• Pass or overtake a vehicle in the procession. Passing is allowed only if a police or safety officer directs it, the procession is on a road outside city limits, or the procession is on an interstate highway or a state parkway.

A driver who meets a procession at an intersection should wait until the whole procession has passed.

Penalty

A violation of the funeral procession law is a Class B misdemeanor. The maximum penalty for a Class B misdemeanor is 90 days in jail and a fine of $250. The court may impose the fine in place of jail time or in addition to it.