Do you have to stop for a funeral procession in Kansas? Here’s what state law requires

Lindsay Smith
·1 min read
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If you’re driving on Kansas roads and encounter a funeral procession, state law requires you to give the procession the right-of-way, but there are a few exceptions.

Here’s what to know about yielding to funeral processions in Kansas, including those exceptions and how to identify yourself as part of one.

Kansas describes a funeral procession as “two or more vehicles accompanying the body of a deceased person, or traveling to the cemetery, church, chapel or other location where the funeral service is to be held, in the daylights hours, including a funeral lead vehicle or a funeral escort.”

State law allows funeral escorts to direct the procession regardless of traffic directing devices, like traffic lights.

Members of a funeral procession have to follow the vehicle before it as closely and safely as possible. All vehicles involved in a procession have to keep their head and tail lights on. They are allowed to flash their hazard lights if needed.

Furthermore, all vehicles in a funeral procession must “exercise due care when participating in a funeral procession and avoid colliding with any other vehicle or pedestrian.”

There are a few exceptions to the right-of-way law, however. A member of the procession does not have the right-of-way in traffic if:

  • The vehicle is more than 300 feet behind another vehicle in the procession.

  • If law enforcement yields the right-of-way to someone else.

  • An emergency vehicle needs the right-of-way.

Kansas law allows city and county governments to require prior notice when a funeral procession is planned.