§ 31-52-4 - Funeral procession right-of-way. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 31-52-4

   § 31-52-4  Funeral procession right-of-way.– (a) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, pedestrians andoperators of all vehicles shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which ispart of a funeral procession being led by a funeral escort vehicle or a funerallead vehicle.

   (b) Whenever the funeral escort vehicle or funeral leadvehicle in a funeral procession lawfully enters an intersection, either byreason of a traffic control device or at the direction of law enforcementpersonnel, the remaining vehicles in the funeral procession may continue tofollow the funeral lead vehicle through the intersection despite any trafficcontrol devices or right-of-way provisions of state or local ordinances,provided the operator of each vehicle exercises reasonable care toward anyother vehicle or pedestrian on the roadway.

   (c) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, anoperator of a funeral escort vehicle may direct the operators of other vehiclesin a funeral procession to proceed through an intersection or to make turns orother movements despite any traffic control device. The operator of a funeralescort vehicle may direct and control the operators of vehicles not in afuneral procession, including those in or approaching an intersection, to stop,proceed, or make turns or other movements without regard to a traffic controldevice. Funeral escort vehicles may exceed the speed limit by fifteen (15)miles per hour when overtaking the funeral procession to direct traffic at thenext intersection.

   (d) Funeral processions shall have the right-of-way atintersections regardless of traffic control devices, subject to the followingconditions and exceptions:

   (i) Operators of vehicles in a funeral procession shall yieldthe right-of-way to an approaching emergency vehicle giving an audible orvisible signal;

   (ii) Operators of vehicles in a funeral procession shallyield the right-of-way when directed to do so by law enforcement personnel; and

   (iii) Operators of vehicles in a funeral procession mustexercise due care when participating in a funeral procession.