Information from the County Attorney's Office
By Steven J. Franzen, Campbell County Attorney
Unfortunately, I have had to attend a number of funerals lately. I thought it may be helpful to explain what the laws are concerning funeral processions and other motor vehicle traffic.
Under Kentucky law, any "funeral procession" means two 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 so as to be clearly visible to approaching traffic.
A vehicle in a funeral procession has the right of way at all intersections and may proceed through the intersections if the procession is led by an escort vehicle displaying flashing yellow, red, or blue lights. However, those driving in a funeral procession must exercise due caution with regard to crossing traffic and must yield the right of way to an emergency vehicle such as police, fire, and life squad vehicles.
A person who is not part of the funeral procession is prohibited from driving his vehicle in between the vehicles of the funeral procession and is prohibited from turning on their headlights or engaging in any other conduct for the purpose of securing the right of way granted to funeral processions.
When a funeral procession is in progress, someone not in the procession is prohibited from passing any vehicle in the funeral procession unless: (1) they are on roads outside of the city limits; (2) are directed to do so by a police officer; or (3) are on an interstate highway or state parkway. For example, you cannot pass a funeral procession on roads like US 27 or Dixie Highway within the city limits, but you could pass a funeral procession on I-471, I-275, I-75 or I-71.
A violation of any of the provisions mentioned above is considered a Class B misdemeanor under Kentucky law punishable by up to a fine of $250.00 and/or up to 90 days in jail. These are obviously serious penalties intended to deter impatient and disrespectful drivers from not yielding the right of way to those in a funeral procession or trying to gain a traffic advantage by passing a funeral procession or acting like they are part of a funeral procession. Families that are part of a funeral procession are having a difficult enough time dealing with the grief of the death of a loved one without being aggravated or endangered by others who decide to violate the above mentioned traffic laws concerning funeral processions.
If you have any topics you would like to have covered in this column, please contact my office by e-mail at countyattorney@campbellcountyky.org, by phone at 491-7700 or by regular mail addressed to 319 York Street, Newport, Kentucky 41071.