The Law

• A federal law passed in 2008 requires highway workers to wear safety vests.working woman image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
  
  On November 24, 2008, a federal law was enacted that required federal highway workers to wear a safety vest at all times which could clearly be seen. Federal highways are defined as any road that has been built or maintained with the use of federal funding.
  
  

Journalist

• Photojournalists are also required to wear safety vests on the job.photographe image by razorconcept from Fotolia.com
  
  The Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Highway Administration have stated that the 2008 safety vest law also applies to photojournalists covering highway news, such as accidents. All vests worn must meet a certain standards established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
  
  

Types

• The speed limit determines what type of safety vest must be worn.speed limit 25 image by Stephen VanHorn from Fotolia.com
  
  There are three different classes of vests that must be worn depending on the job being done. For example, a class 3 vest must be worn by those working on highways in which traffic speed exceeds 50 mph and the task load is high, such as utility or emergency responders. A class 2 vest must be worn when traffic exceeds 25 mph and is used by school crossing guards or traffic directors. Finally, a class 1 vest must be worn by those who work on roads in which traffic speeds don't exceed 25 mph.