L.A. train engineer may have been text messaging before crash
Mon Sep 15, 2008 11:10PM EDT
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Three days after the worst train accident in 15 years, in which 25 people were killed when a commuter train plowed into a freight locomotive near Los Angeles, officials are now looking into reports that the engineer responsible may have been text messaging on his cell phone during the accident.
The accident was reportedly caused by the commuter train's failure to stop at a red light, and investigators have wondered why the train engineer failed to see trackside warnings that another train was approaching.
The new data about the incident comes from two teenagers (and train enthusiasts) who are said to have been frequent text messaging buddies with the engineer. According to an LA newscast, the boys received a message from the engineer one minute before the crash, which would shed some serious light on why he missed four warning lights along the track before the deadly incident.
If true (the engineer's phone has not been recovered, but it's only a matter of time before his phone records confirm or contradict the boys' report), the incident will undoubtedly bring serious attention to the issue of technology use among drivers of all sorts. California's no-cell-phones-while-driving law just went into effect a few months ago, but a law against text messaging (passed by Legislature) while driving has yet to be signed by Governor Schwarzenegger. If it is, it will go into effect on January 1.
Bus drivers in California are prohibited from using all cell phone equipment while behind the wheel, but I've been unable to locate a source on what laws apply to train engineers. There may be none: In the wake of the accident, a California Public Utilities Commission official said he would now ask for a texting ban while driving a train.
Regardless of whether the engineer really was texting before the crash, it's probably time we had laws against such activities, no? Of course the next step is that they'll have to actually be enforced...
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Comments on L.A. train engineer may have been text messaging before crash
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7 Posted by jirojas on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:35PM EDT Report Abuse
to coolkyle4@snet.net: like Einstein said: Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the universe.
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8 Posted by locomotive611 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:55PM EDT Report Abuse
Texting or talking on cellphones while driving a locomotive should not be allowed. The only talking that should be going on is on the radio with the conductor.
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9 Posted by idyll_bijou on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:22PM EDT Report Abuse
Oh, boy....where to begin. The proposal for the need of a law against texting while operating a private auto or any mode of public transportation is such a statement on the lack of values & idiocy of much of the population. While these lawmakers are at it, better include no coffee drinking, putting on makeup in the rear view mirror, reading the news paper, & other such acts of lunacy taking hands & head away from the demands of the attention needed to get from Point A to Point B & back again. What a deterioration of the human brain to have to be legislated to use some common sense while taking on the responsibilities to transport themselves &/or others. ....Must be all the junk food that people feed on that numbs their common sense.
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10 Posted by donaldlandry@rocketmail.com on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:46PM EDT Report Abuse
We have got to stop use of cell phones while operating any machinery. Any cell phone and any machinery. We are not paying attention to what we are doing and killing and maiming people in the process.
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11 Posted by kristieandforrest16 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:53PM EDT Report Abuse
wow this incredibly scares me at the thought that someone could be so ignorant and text and know that they are risking other's lifes. And the fact that I am going on a trip to Washington, D.C. and yes on a train...It makes me think twice now. It is very sad what this world of our's has come too.
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12 Posted by psychgolfer on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:21PM EDT Report Abuse
Anyone else find it a little weird that there is a picture of Thomas the Tank Engine, a children's show, in relation to a train accident that killed people?
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13 Posted by iphonedied on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:24PM EDT Report Abuse
oregonfolkart, And you're also staying out of cars and off of the roads too? How are you going to get to the airport to fly everywhere you go? I'd like a license to shoot anyone talking on a mobile or texting while driving. Think of it as an accelerated Darwin's Law that protects intelligent people. And for only $15 more, the gov't can extend it so I can also use it on train engineers!
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14 Posted by bodylanguage1@rocketmail.com on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:11PM EDT Report Abuse
Stupid and while their driving in the same sentence! lol You sure it's not while they're driving genius? I see at least 2 people a day talking on the phone while driving here, even though it's against the law. If the cops don't enforce the laws, it must be legal!
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15 Posted by pms3636 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:14PM EDT Report Abuse
Not really a comment on the story so much. The whole deal is terrible, especially when human error is likely the cause. I just wanted to point out that this yahoo story has a picture of Thomas The Train obviously having an issue with another train. This is probably a random selection of photos for the page not the story. But still not really appropriate.
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16 Posted by whexicanbitch01 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:44PM EDT Report Abuse
my brother was killed 4 years this week from a guy who wasn't paying any attention either on the railroad so i think it's pretty stupid to be even on your phone while working on the train. i think they should pay attention to all stop signs and radios like they are supposed to ; not beeing side tracked by anything!
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6 Posted by bella77427 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:04PM EDT Report Abuse
Yup the records will prove or disprove...but I hope it really isn't soo. I mean people should not have to need a law to know that this sort of thing is irresponsible behaviour. Nevertheless I do endorse "no use" of cell phone be it voice or data during commute of any means by private or commercial drivers. I always say safety first.