New Federal Law Requires Safety Vests For Photographers On Roadways

A new law goes into effect on November 24, 2008, which will require all workers on federal highways to wear high visibility safety apparel, which apparently also includes photojournalists who are there to cover news. While the law does not specifically list members of the media, it includes “people on foot whose duties place them within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway, such as … responders to incidents within the highway right-of-way.” The U.S. Department of Transportation has repeatedly stated that it considers the media to be included under this law. During the legislative comment period the DOT received requests to expand the definition to include media workers. The Federal Highway Administration responded that the term “responders to incidents” includes media representatives.