Freedom of Information

Safety Vests Required by News Crews Reporting near Federal Highways

As of November 24, reporters, camera operators and other personnel covering stories on Federal highways must comply with a new regulation released by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (“FWHA”).  The new rule requires that any person working within areas of traffic or construction on federal-aid highways wear high-visibility safety apparel.  Under the law, news crews are considered “responders to incidents.”  Therefore, when they are reporting or filming (whether during the day or at night) near a federal highway—such as when covering highway traffic accidents or construction projects—they must wear approved safety vests.  The requirement is intended to prevent injury by ensuring that anyone, including media personnel, working near federal highways is conspicuously visible.  FHWA’s regulation can be found here.    All vests must be at least ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 Class 2-certified.  The approved vests generally are lime green or orange with reflective material, and are available from a variety of Internet vendors at a cost between $15 and $35.