Dear Randy,
What does the law say about funerals going through stop signs and also what about when the light on the highway changes when they are 1/2 way through the light? Are the second 1/2 to keep going or break up the procession?
Bob
Funeral Processions are covered in ILCS 5/11-1420. In a nutshell, the lead vehicle in a funeral procession must obey traffic signals and the like, however, once it is proceeding, the rest of the vehicles in the procession have the right of way by law, and are allowed to continue behind the lead vehicle, even if the light changes. Requirements are that the vehicles in the procession have their headlights lighted, and they must yield to ambulances, fire trucks, police cars... basically any emergency vehicle. The drivers in the procession must also obey any traffic officer when directed. The law also says that vehicles in a procession must proceed with "due caution". In other words, avoid running into a person who fails to yield for the procession. The law also says that vehicles NOT in the procession cannot drive in it just to get the right of way. The law also says that the lead vehicle may be equipped with a flashing amber light, and the following vehicles may utilize funeral pennants, flags, or windshield stickers, or flashing hazard signal flashers to identify themselves as part of the procession.
Hope that information is helpful.
Randy
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