Highway Safety Vests

[johnastovall]

And just who is going to enforce this? I can't see the Erath county sheriff's department doing it. They are too busy dealing with the wreck or fire to worry if I have on an Orange vest.

The more I read about this the more insane it becomes. If I'm shooting a grass fire from the side of the road to flog to the local papers, I need one (All media representatives who are working within the rights-of-way of federal-aid highways will be required to wear high-visibility garments.) but if I'm shooting wild flower macro for stock, I don't. Utter total nonsense.

[johnastovall]

This looks like the best deal. Fifteen dollars and has PRESS on the back.

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by johnastovall

This looks like the best deal. Fifteen dollars and has PRESS on the back.

I got one of these. faxed the order in ($2 extra because I'm bigger than the midgets they usually deal with).. Got it about 4 days later.

we can complain all we want, and we can go along with the program until it changes.

[dcnctx]

Good information

So that's why all the Walmart's have them on their racks and I thought they were just getting a headstart for all the new infrastucture jobs that are going to be created.

Now I won't look so odd with a shovel in one hand and a camera in the other when I try to collect on some of this abundant stimulus. <grin>

[dcnctx]

Having one behind the seat or in the trunk may mean the difference in keeping you on the scene or getting your a** booted by the Hwy Patrol.

[ggeen]

I actually support this ruling...and that is exactly what it is "a ruling". I have two. One says "SKYWARN", the other is plain with no wording. When I am out of the car on or adjacent to a roadway, I want to be seen, not hurt.

As to who will enforce this, got me.

This only applies to federally funded roadways. So the reporter not wearing her vest may not have been on or adjacent to a federally funded roadway. Just guessing.

[Kar]

We got ours here.

http://vests.ironhorsesafety.com/ansivests.html

From what I heard it is supposed to be ANSI level 2.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Originally Posted by ggeen

I actually support this ruling...and that is exactly what it is "a ruling". I have two. One says "SKYWARN", the other is plain with no wording. When I am out of the car on or adjacent to a roadway, I want to be seen, not hurt.

As to who will enforce this, got me.

This only applies to federally funded roadways. So the reporter not wearing her vest may not have been on or adjacent to a federally funded roadway. Just guessing.

No, just fashionistas. since a crew from another TV station had theirs on.

Actually if you are wearing one you may get less hassle because you look "more official" than if you were not and if they are under $20 no big deal.

Now a good question is if your PJ'ing at a protest that is next to a public road will you be required to wear the vest since you may be at the edge of the road during the situation?

Also after looking at several sites selling the vest you probably will want to go larger than your normal size because you will in many cases be wearing this vest over your clothing/coats in leu of.

Looking at the link that John put up for the Press marked vest. it doesn't seam to have any pockets other than a small upper chest pocket where a notepad and pencils could be kept.

Wonder if one with numerous decent sized pockets will come onto the market?

Here is a UTUBE video done by a newspapers staff on the vest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV9PcL_Ng2M

[KD5NRH]

Maybe they can get some of the DPS troopers into them. The last one that I commented to claimed that people would run over him at accident scenes if he wore anything reflective. He couldn't explain how they would pick him out of the crowd of firemen and paramedics all wearing reflective clothing and not getting run over.

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by DEMDeepEllumMusic

No, just fashionistas. since a crew from another TV station had theirs on.

Actually if you are wearing one you may get less hassle because you look "more official" than if you were not and if they are under $20 no big deal.

Now a good question is if your PJ'ing at a protest that is next to a public road will you be required to wear the vest since you may be at the edge of the road during the situation?

Also after looking at several sites selling the vest you probably will want to go larger than your normal size because you will in many cases be wearing this vest over your clothing/coats in leu of.

Looking at the link that John put up for the Press marked vest. it doesn't seam to have any pockets other than a small upper chest pocket where a notepad and pencils could be kept.

Wonder if one with numerous decent sized pockets will come onto the market?

Here is a UTUBE video done by a newspapers staff on the vest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV9PcL_Ng2M

I figure to just get the 4XL and wear it over my Domke vest. I always keep my Domke packed with a minimal of Moleskine note book, couple of Cross pens, wooden pencil, GR-DII and cell phone.

[ggeen]

Very good points guys. Buy bigger than you clothing size. I got an XL that will fit over my duster and should fit over my 5.1 tactical vest -- I bought this for other reasons but find Nikon lenses fit nicely into the water bottle pockets in back.

[hooligan]

It is more of an OSHA type "law" only. There is no recourse if you do not wear one. On the otherhand, If you work for an entity and your work places you in those type places/situations, there would probably be some kind of recourse for the employee to take on the employer if the employer does not make vests avaliable and mandate that the vest is worn.

I work for a PD and we are given vests to cover the city's tail in case any of us were to get hit. It is common sense to wear one, but the only thing that can happen to ME is getting in trouble for violating policy. I also guess municipalities could loose funding from USDOT if they do not make these vests available to their employees.

If you do get one and wear it around highways/roads, just PLEASE DO NOT get into a mind set that that vest will make drivers see you. I can't count the number of times I have been directing traffic, (day and night) wearing my vest and or dayglow yellow jacket, and cars screech to a halt when stopped and the driver tells me they did not see me.

[KD5NRH]

I work for a PD and we are given vests to cover the city's tail in case any of us were to get hit.

Therein lies the "penalty." If you're wearing it and get hit, the driver (most likely) takes the blame. If it's provided and you're not wearing it, you take the blame, and if it's not provided, your employer takes the blame.

Maybe not 100% that simple, but for the most part, it is likely to strongly influence a civil court in that direction. Considering the size of punitive damages these days, you want to be the one getting some of that money if anything happens, rather than paying out everything you'll earn for the rest of your life to the driver for the "mental anguish" he suffers from having to see your body parts stuck to his windshield.

[mdurisseau]

I bought two at Wal-Mart for $10 apiece...