New federal law for people photographing along federal highways

[Ryan McGinnis]

This might apply to some of us who regularly shoot video or pictures along the interstate or other federally maintained highways:

http://www.nppa.org/news_and_events/news/2008/11/safety01.html

Sheesh, as if we needed any help looking like nerds.

No idea what the enforcement on this will be.

 

[Connor McCrorey]

"...all workers on federal highways to wear high visibility safety apparel, including photojournalists who are there to cover news."

I just scanned the article, but I didn't see anything there that indicated non-media chasers would have to do this.

 

[Jason Boggs]

Well, I guess I'll have to get mine since I chase for the media. Oh well, it sure won't hurt to wear one.

 

[Ryan McGinnis]

"...all workers on federal highways to wear high visibility safety apparel, including photojournalists who are there to cover news."

I just scanned the article, but I didn't see anything there that indicated non-media chasers would have to do this.

I think for many chasers this may not apply; however, there are a good number of us here who license and sell our pictures/video or who run chase tour companies.

Again, no idea of how this would be enforced, if at all. I suppose it might turn into one of those "I need to find a reason to arrest you" tools for highway patrolman you've torqued off.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Looks like it applies to federally-funded highways, which would only include interstates and a few major four-lanes. I'd say there would be few roads in chase country that would be affected by this.

Nonetheless, it's not a bad idea IMO. There have been some news photogs hit by cars in recent years.

 

[David Drummond]

I guess we need one with some sort of storm chaser logo for the media chasers now.

I am all about safety but not thrilled about having to wear one of these now.


The way I read it, it applied all highways that receive Federal Assistance as well Dan, which would include all Interstates, all Highways that begin with U.S. and just about every state route. Farm to Market roads wouldn't count in most cases and other similar two laners. That's pretty much all the main routes in the plains.

I too wonder who/how this will be enforced. What is the punishment if you don't wear it? I could see where the LEOs on a scene your shooting could use this as something to make you leave the scene.

 

[Dennis Sherrod]

Here is the full content of the final draft put into effect on this law.

http://www.workzonesafety.org/files/documents/laws_regulations/federal/nov_24_06.pdf

Also of interest from a blog of a law firm, it specifically mentions:
At least, that’s the interpretation on the blog of the Washington law firm Fletcher, Heald and Hildreth.

“Beginning November 24, 2008, ‘all workers within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway’ must wear ‘high-visibility safety apparel,’” the blog reports. “In fashion terms, this means that every time you put a reporter, producer, camera operator or other station personnel on the road to cover an accident, traffic jam, parade, meteorological phenomenon, Bigfoot-sighting, etc., etc., you will need to be sure that those personnel are decked-out in the latest smokin’-hot fashion accessory: a neon orange, yellow or lime green vest with super-cute reflector strips.”

 

[Robert Rohloff]

This federal law is not going to cause chasers to be charged or cited. Your employer could be fined if you are injured or killed and it would effect a civil trial where you try to get compensation for someone hitting you. I will say we switched to the high visibility yellow and found it to be a lot more visible both day and night.

 

[Patrick Romans]

This law is geared toward limiting you civil options should be struck by a car while standing on a highway. I think it was part of the "lets make our highways safer" push...it reallys doesn't accomplish anything but our legislators can use it as a stat. I know that since the law was past my agency requires that anytime we are at an accident or other scene on our highways (namely US 400) we are required to wear the vests. Our insurance company made it pretty clear that if we failed to do so and were injured they may not cover the injuries. I'm not sure how this is going to help much. Drivers spend so much time gawking at the scene they are passing that hardly notice the people on the scene regardless of what they are wearing. Reflective vests don't make passing motorists any smarter.

 

[David Wolfson]

From the thread, http://stormtrack.org/forum/showpost.php?p=187969&postcount=16, this summer....

States will make their own laws to interpret (confuse? take advantage of?) this regulation. There are more Federal-aid highways than you'd think. The Kansas functional class map I mentioned can now be found at http://www.ksdot.org/burtransplan/maps/GISMaps/Fun_class2008.pdf.