Are you required to yield for funeral processions in Missouri and Kansas? What state law says

It’s both common courtesy and the law to yield to funeral processions in Missouri and Kansas.

Every state has their own laws around whether cars or pedestrians need to stop for a string of cars following a hearse. In both Missouri and Kansas, pedestrians and drivers have to yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which is a part of an organized funeral procession.

A funeral procession is typically two or more cars that follow as one car carries the dead loved one from where the funeral service was held to a final destination, like a cemetery.

What’s the law in Missouri?

Cars that are not in a funeral procession but see one passing also need to keep a few things in mind. Any driver that does follow these following rules might be fined up to $100, according to Missouri state law.

• Drivers are not allowed to drive though an organized funeral procession while the procession is moving.

• Drivers also cannot try to join a procession so they can get the right-of-way or get to their destination quicker.

• If a procession is still crossing an intersection even though the light turned red, a driver cannot enter the intersection until they can do so without cutting through the procession.

• Drivers cannot try to pass any car in the procession unless there is a passing lane available beside the procession.

In Missouri, funeral processions have the right-of-way- at intersections regardless of traffic lights and other state and local traffic signs, however, the first car in the procession will need to legally enter an intersection, according to Missouri law.

After the first car clears an intersection legally, all the other cars in the procession that follow are allowed to cross that intersection, even if the light is no longer green. Cars waiting behind and on either side of the intersection will have to respect the procession’s right-of-way.

There are some exceptions, according to the law. If there is an ambulance or another emergency vehicle that needs to get by, the procession does need to yield to it. Funeral processions also need to listen to law enforcement officers if they are directed to stop or move.

What else do cars in a procession need to know?

The cars in the procession need to be mindful of other vehicles and pedestrians when following the lead vehicle. All the vehicles will also need to have their flashing hazards on when driving in the procession.

All the cars will also be given toll free passage when crossing bridges and toll highways, according to Missouri law.

Do you have to yield to a funeral procession in Kansas?

Yes.

In 2021 Kansas passed a law that gives funeral processions the right-of-way regardless of street lights and any other traffic control devices. The same exceptions apply: funeral processions must yield to emergency vehicles or follow the directions of a police officer if asked to stop or move.

Vehicles in the procession need to stay within 300 feet of each other when crossing an intersection to maintain the right-of-way. If a car lags behind over 300 feet, they no longer have the right of way and a car might pass them or cross through the intersection, according to the state statute.

In general, cars still need to be mindful of other cars and pedestrians and make sure not to crash into anyone, even though they have the right-of-way.

In Kansas, there are some fines for interrupting a funeral procession at the local and county level. For example, crossing a funeral procession in Overland Park can lead to a $91 fine.