1. For purposes of this section, “funeral procession” means a procession of motor vehicles accompanying the body of a deceased person during daylight hours which is being escorted by a vehicle continually displaying its emergency signal lamps flashing simultaneously and using lighted headlamps and identifying flags, or an escort vehicle displaying a flashing or revolving red and amber light visible to pedestrians in all directions, and keeping all other motor vehicles with lighted headlamps in close formation.

Attorney's Note

Under the Iowa Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Simple misdemeanorup to 30 daysbetween $105 and $855
For details, see Iowa Code§ 903.1

Terms Used In Iowa Code 321.324A

  • Driver: means a person who operates a motor vehicle for the transportation of railroad workers in the motor vehicle on behalf of a railroad worker transportation company, whether the person is employed by the company for wages or drives for the company as an independent contractor. See Iowa Code 327F.39
  • Motor vehicle: means a self-propelled vehicle purchased or leased in this state, except as provided in section 322G. See Iowa Code 322G.2
  • Operate: means to ride in or on, other than as a passenger, use, or control the operation of an all-terrain vehicle in any manner, whether or not the all-terrain vehicle is moving. See Iowa Code 321I.1
  • Operator: means a person who operates or is in actual physical control of an all-terrain vehicle. See Iowa Code 321I.1
  • Person: includes any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, joint adventure, or association, and the plural as well as the singular number. See Iowa Code 321H.2
  • property: includes personal and real property. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Vehicle: means any vehicle as defined in chapter 321. See Iowa Code 321H.2
 2. Upon the immediate approach of a funeral procession, the driver of every other vehicle, except an authorized emergency vehicle, shall yield the right-of-way. An operator of a motor vehicle which is part of a funeral procession shall not be charged with violating traffic rules and regulations relating to traffic signals and devices while participating in the procession unless the operation is reckless.
 3. The funeral establishment in charge of the funeral procession is liable only in connection with the procession for any negligent, reckless, or intentional act by the funeral establishment or any employee or agent of the funeral establishment that results in any death, personal injury or property damage suffered during a funeral procession.
 4. a. The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may operate the vehicle as part of a funeral procession, and a peace officer may provide traffic control relating to a funeral procession upon request or when necessary for the safety of all persons.

 b. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, an authorized emergency vehicle operating in a funeral procession or for traffic control relating to a funeral procession may display any of the vehicle’s lighting devices. This subsection shall not be construed to exempt the driver of the authorized emergency vehicle from any duty to operate the vehicle with due regard for the safety of all persons.
 5. A person who violates this section commits a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 6, paragraph “s”.