Cell phone debate

A cell phone ban was implemented for all MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority) drivers after a May 8 trolley crash (which the driver of the trolley admitted was due to text messaging), forbidding drivers from using their cell phones while driving.  Since the ban went into effect three MBTA employees have been disciplined for using cell phones while driving public vehicles. Those drivers were fired and a new more strict ban now forbids T (T is the local name for the Boston subway) employees from carrying their cell phones on the trains/buses with them at all. The T has already added a hot line for family members to reach T employees during emergencies, and they will install another 42 phone lines in accessible areas by the end of July for employees to use in between shifts.

The president of the T's Union argued that many employees often have lengthy breaks and end their routes far away from where they parked their personal vehicles. He said the ban denies drivers "reasonable access to their families." The drivers of course feel that they are being treated "unfairly".

So, what say you POE? Is it "unfair" to put public safety before the drivers personal need to "chat" and "text" when bored?

I think they should not chat or text while working but taking the phones away from them is not a good idea! What if those "hotline" are not working? What if something happens to a train or a passenger and the only way of communicating is with a cell phone? Don't want to be in the position of saying in hindsight "Oh, if I only had my cell phone, this tradgey could have been avoided!"

I think the general public needs to realize that chatting or texting while driving is SUCH A BAD IDEA! I admit I've done it in the past but after hearing horror stories, I will not do it again. I only takes minutes to pull over in parking lot and use the phone then.

Respectfully, I have to disagree with you on this one Krissy.  First of all, virtually every passenger on any train or bus has a cell phone. If there is a real emergency that requires an outside phone call, some one can make the call (remember that the drivers have the ability, via dashboard equipment ((what ever those things are called, lol!)) to call a central control booth for help in an emergency).

Just as we saw with those three drivers who had to be disciplined after the ban on using cell phones while on duty went into effect, there is always going to be those drivers who feel they are exempt from following the rules. If the phones are in the cabin and they are bored or a friend/husband/wife/gf/bf calls to chat, they're going to disobey the rules. It is those few who make the rules necessary.

In the recent past we have had several train/trolley crashes directly due to the use of cell phones (for non-emergency personal calls) by the drivers. In one of the worst wreaks just last year the driver was killed and several passengers seriously injured when one train plowed into the back of another because the driver was busy chatting away and didn't notice the signal to stop. Fortunately it was the errant driver who was killed and not the passengers.

The question is, when the next train crash occurs due to driver negligence while talking/texting on their cell phone, do I want it to be me or someone I love on that train? How important will the driver's rights to chat seem when it's someone I love who doesn't come home one night?

Furthermore, for decades before the advent of personal cell phones people managed just fine. I think when it comes to public safety we can not be too careful.

Just my humble opinion!

I totally see what you are saying!!! As I was reading this I was thinking, how did we manage before cell phones....and as you said, we did it just fine!!

I have to agree with you on this one, Diana.  It's sad that "adults" cannot behave responsibly and discipline themselves when it comes to use of their cell phones.  But, since many of them obviously can't do that, then restrictions will have to be placed on them for their own safety as well as that of their passengers.  As you said, we managed somehow before cell phones came along.  I'm appalled at other drivers (in cars) not only talking or texting on their phones, but putting on makeup, eating and even reading a book or newspaper while driving.  Anything that takes your eyes off the road for even a second can lead to an accident.  I  have even been almost run over by pedestrians who can't tear their eyes away from their cell phone or Blackberry long enough to cross the street or walk down the block.  Virginia has a new law effective today making cell phone usage, particularly texting or reading messages, a secondary offense, meaning you have to be pulled over for something else before they can cite you for that.  Personally, I think it should be a primary offense.  What if you keep your car in perfect working order and drive impeccably in every other way but then cause an accident because you happened to look at your cell phone?