Mississippi Senate Bill SB2236

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/22
• Refer: 1/17/22
• Failed: 2/1/22

Caption

Funeral processions; provide right-of-way and authorize law enforcement to escort.

Impact

The legislation impacts existing traffic laws by providing exceptions to the rules regulating intersections and traffic controls, thereby altering how vehicles participating in funeral processions are treated. When escorted, participants in these processions have the means to proceed without stopping, encouraging respect for the mourning process. Additionally, there are safety measures in place, like the requirement for vehicles to slow down when proceeding through intersections, which seeks to balance respect for the event with the safety of all road users.

Summary

Senate Bill 2236 amends various sections of the Mississippi Code to define and provide specific rights for funeral processions. It establishes that funeral processions, particularly when escorted by law enforcement, have the right-of-way at intersections, allowing them to proceed through stop signs and other traffic control devices if their headlights are illuminated. This measure aims to facilitate the passage of funeral processions while ensuring the safety of participants. The bill also specifies terms such as 'funeral procession' and 'lead vehicle' to clarify enforcement and compliance.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding the bill may arise from concerns about potential misuse of the right-of-way granted to funeral processions if not clearly regulated. There might be discussions regarding the responsibilities of drivers in the procession and the definitions of emergency vehicles, especially concerning the conditions under which they may exceed speed limits while escorting the procession. Overall, the bill aims to create clear parameters for how funeral processions can operate within Mississippi's traffic system while enhancing public sensitivity to the needs of grieving individuals.