Text messaging to blame for deadly train crash?
- October 2nd, 2008
- 3 Comments
Reuters is reporting that text messaging may have had something to do with a recent train crash in California that killed 25 and injured 135. Cell phone records show that the train’s conductor received a text message at 4:21:03 PM, followed by the crash at 4:22:23 PM. The idea is that he got the text message, looked down to read it, and missed the trackside signal. The commuter train then collided with a freight train.
Whether text messaging was the culprit or not, California train workers have now been temporarily banned from using cell phones at work. Temporarily? It’s a train, make it permanent. Many states make it illegal to text while driving, why should a train be any different? You don’t see bus drivers texting (I hope).
Moustache (Who am I?)
2 months ago
Ever heard of “Guns don’t kill people, people kill people”? Yeah… if only we could ban stupidity….
TheHoldSteady (Who am I?)
2 months ago
Given the massive amount of momentum a moving train has, I don’t think one minute, twenty seconds would have made any difference. Someone made the wrong decision (wrong track or missed a signal) many, many, many minutes - per ten or more - before the resulting impact.
balebond (Who am I?)
2 months ago
Actually, Metrolink workers are already forbidden to use cell phones… this guy was a contract worker and was knowingly in violation.