Iowa Code § 321.324A

Current through March 29, 2024
Section 321.324A - Funeral processions
1. For purposes of this section, "funeral procession" means a procession of motor vehicles accompanying the body of a deceased person during daylight hours which is being escorted by a vehicle continually displaying its emergency signal lamps flashing simultaneously and using lighted headlamps and identifying flags, or an escort vehicle displaying a flashing or revolving red and amber light visible to pedestrians in all directions, and keeping all other motor vehicles with lighted headlamps in close formation.
2. Upon the immediate approach of a funeral procession, the driver of every other vehicle, except an authorized emergency vehicle, shall yield the right-of-way. An operator of a motor vehicle which is part of a funeral procession shall not be charged with violating traffic rules and regulations relating to traffic signals and devices while participating in the procession unless the operation is reckless.
3. The funeral establishment in charge of the funeral procession is liable only in connection with the procession for any negligent, reckless, or intentional act by the funeral establishment or any employee or agent of the funeral establishment that results in any death, personal injury or property damage suffered during a funeral procession.
4.
a. The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may operate the vehicle as part of a funeral procession, and a peace officer may provide traffic control relating to a funeral procession upon request or when necessary for the safety of all persons.
b. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, an authorized emergency vehicle operating in a funeral procession or for traffic control relating to a funeral procession may display any of the vehicle's lighting devices. This subsection shall not be construed to exempt the driver of the authorized emergency vehicle from any duty to operate the vehicle with due regard for the safety of all persons.
5. A person who violates this section commits a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 6, paragraph "s".

Iowa Code § 321.324A

94 Acts, ch 1139, §1; 2006 Acts, ch 1070, §13; 2020 Acts, ch 1074, §36, 93; 2022 Acts, ch 1087, §7, 11

Amended by 2022 Iowa, ch 1087, s 7, eff. 5/24/2022.
Amended by 2020 Iowa, ch 1074, s 36, eff. 7/15/2020.
94 Acts, ch 1139, §1; 2006 Acts, ch 1070, §13

Referred to in §321.423, 321.482A, 805.8A(6)(s)

Flashing lights, see §321.423

Penalties for violations causing serious injury or death, see §321.482A