California set to ban cell phones for train motormen

train_crash_in_california.jpg Talking on the cell phone while driving could lead to fatal accidents, this has been told to us repeatedly, but what if you are driving a train? The collision between the Metrolink train and a Union Pacific freight train killed 25 people and injured 138 people. It is being termed as the deadliest rail disaster in the U.S. in 15 years. The cause of the accident could become one of the most severe cases of criminal negligence ever. Metrolink has blamed its engineer for not heeding a red light signal designed to prevent such wrecks, and the National Transportation Safety Board is reviewing whether the engineer was text messaging. Higgins also said tests at the crash site showed the signals are working properly and there were no obstructions that may have prevented the engineer from seeing the red light. Commuters are now disturbed by reports that the engineer may have been texting, and some are taking the bus or even riding a bicycle. Audio recordings of contact between Sanchez and the conductor on the Metrolink show they were regularly communicating verbal safety checks about signals along the track until a period of radio silence as the train passed the final two signals before the wreck, He is still hospitalized with serious injuries.

Although no cell phone was recovered from the crash site, two teenage train buffs who befriended him told a news channel that they received a text message from him a minute before the crash. In any case, this should serve as a reminder that talking while driving is seriously a dangerous endeavor, not to mention if you are a train motor men or even a pilot, Yikes!

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