Bill Text: IN HB1212 | 2012 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Blue lights on vehicles.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Enrolled - Dead) 2012-03-15 - Signed by the Governor [HB1212 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2012-HB1212-Engrossed.html
Citations Affected: IC 9-13; IC 9-19; IC 9-21.
Synopsis: Blue lights on vehicles. Defines funeral escort vehicle.
Provides that a vehicle utilized in a funeral procession or a funeral
escort vehicle may display certain flashing lights in certain colors.
Requires a funeral escort vehicle to bear certain markings. Prohibits a
funeral escort vehicle from bearing certain markings. Provides that, in
order for the vehicles in a funeral procession to have the right-of-way
at an intersection, the vehicle heading the funeral procession must
display a flashing red light, flashing red and white lights, or a flashing
amber light. (Current law allows the vehicle to display alternately
flashing red and blue lights.) Provides that certain equipment
requirements that apply to a funeral escort vehicle do not apply to an
authorized emergency vehicle that is used in a funeral procession or as
a funeral escort vehicle. Provides that a person who displays a red and
blue lamp upon a vehicle or fails to remove a red and blue lamp from
a vehicle under certain circumstances commits a Class C misdemeanor.
Effective: July 1, 2012.
(SENATE SPONSOR _ MERRITT)
January 9, 2012, read first time and referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs and Public
Safety.
January 25, 2012, amended, reported _ Do Pass.
January 27, 2012, read second time, ordered engrossed. Engrossed.
January 31, 2012, read third time, passed. Yeas 95, nays 0.
February 1, 2012, read first time and referred to Committee on Homeland Security, Transportation and Veterans Affairs.
February 16, 2012, amended, reported favorably _ Do Pass.
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A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
motor vehicles.
(1) vehicle utilized in a funeral procession; or
(2) funeral escort vehicle bearing markings as described in IC 9-21-13-0.7;
a vehicle that is not described by sections 2 or 5 of this chapter may not display a red and white lamp or a red and blue lamp.
(b) A person who:
(1)
(2) is not authorized to display a red and white or red and blue lamp upon the vehicle;
shall immediately remove the red and white or red and blue lamp from the vehicle.
(c) A funeral escort vehicle, other than an authorized emergency vehicle used in a funeral procession or as a funeral escort vehicle, may display only red and white, red, or amber lights.
(1) contains parts and accessories; and
(2) is equipped;
as required under regulations of the United States Department of Transportation.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c), a person who violates this chapter commits a Class C infraction.
(c) A person commits a Class C misdemeanor if the person knowingly or intentionally violates section 5.5 of this chapter.
(b) Flashing lights may be displayed on a vehicle as follows:
(1) On an authorized emergency vehicle.
(2) On a school bus.
(3) On snow-removal equipment.
(4) As a means of indicating a right or left turn.
(5) As a means of indicating the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care in approaching, overtaking, or passing.
(6) On a vehicle used in a funeral procession.
(b) A motorcycle that is a funeral escort vehicle must be clearly marked with the words "funeral escort" on both the right and left
sides of the vehicle in letters that are at least two (2) inches in
height.
(c) A funeral escort vehicle may not bear:
(1) markings similar to the markings used by a law
enforcement agency of the state or the federal government;
(2) words, emblems, seals, or other insignia that could cause
a reasonable person to confuse the funeral escort vehicle with
a police vehicle; or
(3) the words "sheriff", "police", "deputy", "marshal",
"agent", "patrolman", "officer", or another word that could
cause a reasonable person to confuse the operator of the
funeral escort vehicle with a law enforcement officer.
(1) When the right-of-way is required by an authorized emergency vehicle giving an audible signal.
(2) When the vehicles in procession are directed otherwise by a police officer.
(b) Before assuming the right-of-way, a person who drives a vehicle in the funeral procession must exercise due caution with regard to crossing traffic.
