October 26, 2007

Funeral Procession Right-of-Way; Funeral Escort Vehicles; Funeral Lead Vehicles

CHAPTER 265, RULES OF THE ROAD, Special Rules for Funeral Processions.
Section 265:156, Funeral Procession Right-of-Way; Funeral Escort Vehicles; Funeral Lead Vehicles. - Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the following provisions shall apply:
I. The operator of a funeral lead vehicle shall comply with stop signs and traffic control signals. When the funeral lead vehicle has proceeded across an intersection in accordance with a signal or after stopping as required by a stop sign, all vehicles in the funeral procession may proceed without stopping, regardless of the sign or signal. The lead vehicle and the vehicles in the funeral procession shall proceed with due caution. Operators of vehicles in a funeral procession shall have the right-of-way.
II. All vehicles comprising a funeral procession shall follow the preceding vehicle in the funeral procession as closely as is practical and safe. Each vehicle of the funeral procession shall be appropriately marked by having funeral flags or windshield signage, and headlights, taillights, and, if so equipped, hazard flasher on. A funeral escort or funeral lead vehicle shall use and be equipped with a purple flashing or emergency light.
Section 265:157 Prohibited Acts.
I. Operators of vehicles not a part of the funeral procession may not form a procession and have the vehicle's headlights lighted for the purpose of securing the right-of-way granted by this subdivision to funeral processions. No driver of a vehicle not part of the funeral procession shall drive between the vehicles comprising the funeral procession while in motion except when authorized to do so by a police officer or when such vehicle is an emergency vehicle giving an audible or visible signal.
II. Operators of vehicles not part of a funeral processional shall not join a funeral procession for the purpose of securing the right-of-way granted in RSA 265:156, I.
III. An operator of a vehicle not in a funeral procession shall not attempt to pass vehicles in a funeral procession on a 2-lane highway or roadway.
IV. When a funeral procession is proceeding through a red signal as permitted by RSA 265:156, I, a vehicle that is not in the funeral procession may not enter the intersection, even if the vehicle is facing a green signal, unless it can do so without crossing the path of the funeral procession.

• When part of a funeral procession you may proceed through red lights and stop signs as long as you have a funeral flag on your vehicle and you must have your headlights, taillights and hazards lights on if equipped. Under all circumstances you must still show due care to other motorists.
• Any vehicle that fails to yield to a funeral procession or joins the procession without the right to do so is guilty of a violation.