As Introduced
136th General Assembly
Regular Session S. B. No. 97
2025-2026
Senators Craig, Wilson
A B I L L
To amend section 4511.451 of the Revised Code to
double fines for failing to yield to a funeral
procession.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That section 4511.451 of the Revised Code be
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 4511.451. (A) As used in this section, "funeral
procession" means two or more vehicles accompanying the cremated
remains or the body of a deceased person in the daytime when
each of the vehicles has its headlights lighted and is
displaying a purple and white or an orange and white pennant
attached to each vehicle in such a manner as to be clearly
visible to traffic approaching from any direction.
(B) Excepting public safety vehicles proceeding in
accordance with section 4511.45 of the Revised Code or when
directed otherwise by a police officer, pedestrians and the
operators of all vehicles, street cars, and trackless trolleys
shall yield the right of way to each vehicle that is a part of a
funeral procession. Whenever the lead vehicle in a funeral
procession lawfully enters an intersection, the remainder of the
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As Introduced
vehicles in the procession may continue to follow the lead
vehicle through the intersection notwithstanding any traffic
control devices or right of way provisions of the Revised Code,
provided that the operator of each vehicle exercises due care to
avoid colliding with any other vehicle or pedestrian.
(C) No person shall operate any vehicle as a part of a
funeral procession without having the headlights of the vehicle
lighted and without displaying a purple and white or an orange
and white pennant in such a manner as to be clearly visible to
traffic approaching from any direction.
(D)(D)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this division,
whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has
been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor
vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is
guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one
year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted
of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses,
whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the
third degree.
(2) Notwithstanding section 2929.28 of the Revised Code,
upon finding that a person operated a motor vehicle in violation
of division (B) of this section, the court, in addition to all
other penalties provided by law, shall impose a fine of two
times the usual amount imposed for the violation.
(3) If the offender commits the offense while distracted
and the distracting activity is a contributing factor to the
commission of the offense, the offender is subject to the
additional fine established under section 4511.991 of the
Revised Code.
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As Introduced
Section 2. That existing section 4511.451 of the Revised
Code is hereby repealed.
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