Sep 18, 2008

No more texting while driving the trains folks...

This story is sad, that people lost lives or were injured because the operator of their train was busy texting. We all know people that can't walk and chew gum at the same time. How many times have you had to toot your horn at the driver in front of you to let him know the light is green, because he is so busy on his cell phone? I have noticed more and more shops and stores that have signs posted that they will not wait on you if you are speaking on your cell phone. I think it is important to be focused on the task at hand, no matter what you are doing. There are enough distractions around us daily.


SAN FRANCISCO — California regulators have issued a temporary ordering banning train operators from using cell phones while on duty.

The California Public Utilities Commission unanimously passed an emergency order Thursday to ban the use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices while operating a train. It comes less than a week after a Southern California commuter train ran head-on into a freight train, killing 25 people and injuring more than 130 others.

Federal authorities confirmed that on the day of the crash, the Metrolink train engineer was text-messaging on his cell phone while on duty. Authorities say he ran a red light and slammed into the freight train in Chatsworth on Friday.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

2 comments:

the walking man said...

There is an image in my head that will be stuck there for awhile. Driving along yesterday there was a HUGE pick up truck crossing over the lane marker, like a dunk, but it was at 10 am. The driver steering with his knees was texting some other fool, eyes looking at his device not the road.

Time for the electronica in public to subside along with the mass confusion and craziness of the day.

Lori said...

I happen to agree with you 100%.