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Federal Regulations Require Reflective Vests

Posted by: Steve Wagner
July 24, 2009
Topic: Motor Vehicle Accidents

Beginning last November, federal regulations require people working along roadways to wear day-glow reflective vests. The new regulations came shortly after Deputy Sara Jones was killed in Monroe County. Deputy Jones was directing traffic on State Road 45 to assist a wrecker in removing a vehicle from a ravine. While Deputy Jones had a reflective vest in her patrol car, she was not wearing it at the time of the crash.

However, with new federal regulations in place, it seems that not all law enforcement officers are following the rules. It even appears that certain police agencies have modified the rules. Through an investigation conducted by WISH-TV 8, it was discovered that many officers are making traffic stops and never putting on their reflective vests. The Indiana State Police defended their officers by saying, "...it wasn't necessary for them to wear it for the everyday traffic stop." Wasn't it the "everyday traffic stop" that left Deputy Sara Jones a victim of an avoidable accident? The original federal rule calls for the safety vests to be worn at all times. Each vest cost taxpayers $70.


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