Manitoba motorists could soon see flashing purple lights on vehicles of funeral operators during a procession, Manitoba Public Insurance announced.
“For maximum visibility these distinctive flashing purple lights will be placed on vehicles of funeral operators,” said Ward Keith, Registrar of Motor Vehicles.
“After a thorough review it was concluded that these lights are quite distinct and make funeral processions much more noticeable to other motorists. The use of purple lights would be beneficial to those funeral vehicles leading a procession.”
With safety at the forefront, it was determined that funeral service providers, wishing to use flashing purple lights may now do so by applying for a special lighting permit which will be issued by the Registrar. There is no charge to the permit, which has no expiration date, but is vehicle specific.
Historically, vehicles in a funeral procession would activate their headlights to indicate to other motorist that they were a part of a funeral procession. As daytime running lights became required equipment on all vehicles in Canada a number of years ago, virtually all vehicles now have their headlights illuminated whenever they are being driven, so funeral processions are no longer as readily identifiable as they once were, explained Keith.
The use of purple flashing lights on funeral vehicles will now be a visual reminder to motorists that a funeral procession is in progress. Currently, Manitoba’s Highway Traffic Act states that local governments can create by-laws to provide for the right of way of processions.
The general rule is that once the lead vehicle in the procession has ensured that it is safe to proceed, the procession may proceed through a red light or stop signs. Other motorists are to give the right of way to the vehicles in the procession.
Other Canadian jurisdictions ─ Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia ─ all permit the use of flashing purple lights on funeral vehicles.
Manitoba’s Highway Traffic Act currently prohibits the use of purple lights on any vehicle. However, the legislation also contains a provision that allows the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to issue a Special Lighting Permit.
