Metrolink Train Crash

[UP5521]

Okay, if there is anyone to blame I would blame the operator of the Metrolink train because of two reasons:

1.he knew the union pacific operates freight trains on this section of track

2.He had no business texting while driving which put alot of the passenger's lives at risk and had there been a siding he would have taken it which allows the freight train to pass,and if it was not for that driver, the 3 UP employees would have perished.

 

[LVman]

Wow. Nice fail you moron. Posting in an already dead topic. Pathetic. :|

 

[JCitron]

I agree the gov't should ban the use of cell phones while driving or operating any vehicle. I've been nearly hit quite a number of times by people on phones and while texting. They were so busy attending to their personal needs that they forgot they were careening down a highway at 70 mph or more.

Recently an operator caused a major trolley accident in Boston lost his job for being on a cell phone. He faces jail time and major fines. This accident caused $8 million or more in damges to the LRVs and to the station. The MBTA had already enforced a rule regarding cell plhones while on duty.

John

 

[Klinger]

I agree the gov't should ban the use of cell phones while driving or operating any vehicle. I've been nearly hit quite a number of times by people on phones and while texting. They were so busy attending to their personal needs that they forgot they were careening down a highway at 70 mph or more.

Recently an operator caused a major trolley accident in Boston lost his job for being on a cell phone. He faces jail time and major fines. This accident caused $8 million or more in damges to the LRVs and to the station. The MBTA had already enforced a rule regarding cell plhones while on duty.

John

I agree and disagree.

Calling on phones while driving does have a few uses. calling 911 if you just witnessed an accident (been there, done that), calling 911 for a wreckless or possibly drunk driver. Not quite sure how it would relate to trains, but talking while driving a train is banned, so problem solved

Texting has NO PLACE anywhere when operating any type of machinery, PERIOD!!

I catch myself texting while driving the train at work now and then. I give myself a slap. Its still unacceptable, texting takes far more attention then talking, and espically in cars, requires the driver to remove his eyes from the road, and mirrors.

I have almost been creamed numerous times by people yacking on their damn phones rather then driving and paying attention.

 

[UP5521]

Just out of curiosity, how many years in jail and how much do you have to pay?

 

[UP5521]

All I have to say is this is the worst railroad accident I have ever seen! Something has to be done to stop incidents like this from happening again,that is another example of lives at risk that should not have happened at all,that makes me angry!

 

[illinoiscentral]

TEXT=:n:
Dial the frickin' thing and talk=:Y:

I use this wreck as a warning to all my friends who text.

I, will never text, it is to dangerous, I've known to many families whoes children died in car accidents from their friend texting and driving.


Woody

 

[cascaderailroad]

Just out of curiosity, how many years in jail and how much do you have to pay?

PA law, house arrest, 1.5 to 3 yrs probation, or 5 to 10 yrs reckless and negligent manslaughter.

Most offenders pay by losing thier life...that'll teach em'. They'll never do that again.

The average texting person takes their eyes completely off the road for 10-15 seconds or much more, or traveling the length of a football field...crusing along, without looking where they are going.

 

[Rusty1955]

Texas just enacted a law making it illegal to talk on a cell phone or text in a school zone. It is also illegal for to use a cellphone for the first year or two after they get their full drivers license.

Saw a kid run the gates today over here, fortunately he made it. On the flip side, there was a cop sitting on the other side of the street and he pulled him over! Kid got a big ol fat ticket and part of his tail end is missing because the cop chewed on him rather well!

 

[JCitron]

I agree and disagree.

Calling on phones while driving does have a few uses. calling 911 if you just witnessed an accident (been there, done that), calling 911 for a wreckless or possibly drunk driver. Not quite sure how it would relate to trains, but talking while driving a train is banned, so problem solved

Texting has NO PLACE anywhere when operating any type of machinery, PERIOD!!

I catch myself texting while driving the train at work now and then. I give myself a slap. Its still unacceptable, texting takes far more attention then talking, and espically in cars, requires the driver to remove his eyes from the road, and mirrors.

I have almost been creamed numerous times by people yacking on their damn phones rather then driving and paying attention.

There are exceptions to the overall rule as you've pointed out. However where's the good old-fashioned common sense that people used to have?

Like any tool, cell phones, computers, texting abilites on mobile devices, etc. have the purpose, and when used properly are very helpful. However when used as they are now, they have become a hazard.

The problem is these people just don't "think" before they act because they're all wrapped up on themselves and their little world.

John

 

[UP5521]

Well, when some locomotive engineers are not paying attention to what they are doing behind the throttle of any locomotive whether it is a steam,diesel and / or electric locomotive is no wonder why those who spend their time texting on a cell phone and not keeping their eyes on the tracks is what results in death or serious injuries because of things like this, just ask the eye-witnesses who saw this and they will tell you,this is the sort of thing that makes me very mad and they deserve to lose their jobs for incidents like this!:n:

 

[dlohrmeyer]

OK, I'm going to chime in here. But, one thing that has been discussed on someother forums is the fact that some people on the platform saw a green signal. Now, maybe just maybe the sun and atmospheric conditions where just right and made a red signal look green. This has happened before. So, I guess what i'm trying to say is that it might not entirely be the engineers fault. But, we shall never know because what really happened died with the engineer.