By Ryan E.Alekman, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Massachusetts and other states, operators of public transportation vehicles like buses and trolleys are using their cell phone and mobile phones on the job. What’s wrong with this? Everything is wrong with this if the use of the cell phones / mobile phones distract the drivers and cause serious accidents involving personal injuries and, in some instances, death. Text messaging and e mailing from cell phones / mobile phones are especially dangerous acts. The driver / operator’s eyes are on the cell phone / mobile phone screen rather on the road and traffic. This in turn, puts the people in danger including the trolley passengers, pedestrians, other motorists, and bicyclists.
In Boston, Massachusetts, the head of the transit authority recently stated that he may ban all train and bus operators from carrying cell phone / mobile phones. This statement was made following an accident involving a trolley operator who was texting his girlfriend just prior to an underground trolley accident.
In the recent underground trolley accident, over 40 passengers were injured when one trolley crashed into another trolley at 7:20 p.m. The trolley operator admitted to police that he was text messaging his girlfriend at the time of the crash. Officials stated that the trolley operator would be fired if he was indeed texting at the time of the crash. Criminal charges will be considered the by the police and district attorney’s office.
You can read more about this story at Boston Authorities Considering Ban on Cell Phones / Mobile Phones While Operating Trolleys, Trains, and Buses.