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S. 907
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Senator Shealy
Document Path: l:\s-res\ks\053fune.dmr.ks.docx
Introduced in the Senate on January 23, 2018
Currently residing in the Senate Committee on Transportation
Summary: Traffic rules
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number
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1/23/2018 Senate Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 7)
1/23/2018 Senate Referred to Committee on Transportation
(Senate Journal-page 7)
View the latest legislative information at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
TO AMEND ARTICLE 31, CHAPTER 5, TITLE 56 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO MISCELLANEOUS TRAFFIC RULES, TO PROVIDE THAT A VEHICLE IN A FUNERAL PROCESSION HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY AT AN INTERSECTION AND MAY PROCEED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION IF THE PROCESSION IS LED BY AN ESCORT VEHICLE DISPLAYING FLASHING AMBER OR PURPLE LIGHTS, VISIBLE IN ALL DIRECTIONS FOR A DISTANCE OF FIVE HUNDRED FEET IN NORMAL SUNLIGHT AND ATTACHED SO AS TO BE CLEARLY VISIBLE TO APPROACHING TRAFFIC; TO PROVIDE FOR EXCEPTIONS; AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Article 31, Chapter 5, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 56-5-3995. (A) As used in this section, 'funeral procession' means two or more vehicles accompanying the body or cremated remains of a deceased person if each vehicle has its headlights and emergency flashers on and if the escort vehicle is displaying flashing amber or purple lights that are visible in all directions for a distance of five hundred feet in normal sunlight and attached, so as to be clearly visible to approaching traffic, or is escorted by a law enforcement vehicle.
(B) A vehicle in a funeral procession has the right of way at an intersection and may proceed through the intersection except when:
(1) an emergency vehicle requires the right of way;
(2) vehicles in the procession are directed otherwise by a law enforcement officer; or
(3) the vehicle is a train or locomotive.
(C) Before assuming the right of way, a person who drives a vehicle in a funeral procession shall exercise caution with regard to crossing traffic.
(D) A person who drives a vehicle that is not part of a funeral procession shall not drive a vehicle between the vehicles of a funeral procession or interfere with the progress of the procession, except when:
(1) the person is authorized to do so by a law enforcement officer; or
(2) the vehicle is an emergency vehicle.
(E) A person who drives a vehicle that is not a part of a funeral procession shall not illuminate the vehicle's headlights or engage in any other act for the purpose of securing the right of way granted to funeral processions.
(F) The escort vehicle, hearse, or other vehicles in a funeral procession may be equipped with flashing amber or purple lights, visible in all directions for a distance of five hundred feet in normal sunlight for the purpose of notifying the general public of the procession and gaining the right of way at intersections, or signaling the end of a procession.
(G) If a funeral procession is in progress, then a person driving a vehicle not in the procession shall not pass or overtake any vehicle in the procession unless the:
(1) person is directed to do so by a law enforcement officer; or
(2) procession is on an interstate highway or a multi-lane state or federal highway.
(H) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine not exceeding two hundred dollars or by a term of imprisonment not exceeding thirty days."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on
January 26, 2018 at 2:28 PM