Posted 14th September 2008 | 6 Comments
Ban on train drivers using mobile phones after 26 killed in California train crash
The scene of the head-on collision.
TRAIN drivers in California are to be prohibited from using mobile phones while in charge of trains following reports that the driver of a passenger train that collided head on with a freight train, killing 26 people and seriously injuring many more, was texting rail enthusiasts moments before the collision.
The crash occurred at Chatsworth, north of Los Angeles, when a three-car double-deck Metrolink passenger train, operated by a driver employed by Connex Railroad—a subsidiary of Veolia Transportation—collided with a Union Pacific multi-modal service on a single line section of track.
The Connex driver, who is thought to be among the dead, has been blamed. A Metrolink spokeswoman said that a preliminary investigation showed the engineer (driver) employed by Connex/Veolia Transportation failed to stop at a red signal.
A local TV station on the CBS network, CBS-2 TV, has shown an interview with a local teenager saying he exchanged a brief text message with the driver shortly before the crash.
The TV station reported that Nick Williams was among a group of young people who had befriended the train driver and asked him questions about his work.
A CBS-2 reporter showed viewers Williams’ cell phone, which appeared to carry a text message, timed moments before the crash, received from the driver of the passenger train.
The president of the California Public Utilities Commission has now said he will seek an emergency order prohibiting the use of cell phones while operating a train in the state.
A US Federal Railroad Administration spokesman said there was no existing federal regulation regarding the use of cell phones by rail employees on the job. Metrolink, however, said it prohibits rail workers from using cell phones on the job.
The disaster occurred on a horseshoe-shaped curve, and it is unlikely that either train driver saw the other train approaching until the last minute, and had little chance to apply brakes.
US National Transportation Safety Board investigators have been assessing the scene of the wreck. The force of the impact was so great that the Metrolink locomotive was forced back into the following passenger car.
Of a total of 220 passengers on the Metrolink train, 135 were injured, with 81 taken to hospitals in serious or critical condition.
The death toll reached 26 when two of the critically injured died in hospital.
Reader Comments:
Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.
Nick Craven, Leeds
It's the same old story, blame the dead Driver, he can't defend himself.
We need to know much more about the track layout, signalling system, operating procedures, etc. before we can take a view on this.
Keith, Sheerness, Kent
Every Day after only a few minutes of driving or walking I always see drivers using
Mobile Phones whilst trying to steer their Car or Lorry with not a worry in this World, What can I do ? nothing !!! No one wants to know , No phone numbers to report them, Police not interested , Let us just leave it ,it might Go Away.
Martin, Lund, Sweden
Is there no Automatic train control in the US? This would not be possible if such a system where used.
Ian, Clacton, UK
There are some car/Lorry drivers that think it is their god given right to use moblies on rthe move. Locally we have bus drivers with earphones in their ears. Its a global attitude to law enforcement that has to change.
Jules, lowestoft, UK
The report does not say when this happened - little lax journalistic standards.
Anyway, whether he were using a mobile phone or not, it would surely be quite difficult in (say) the United Kingdom for this to happen. signalling standards must be must higher in Europe. I know the American Network (outsideof the EAst Coast) has some pretty primitive signalling procedures - especially as it not geared to passenger movements. Can anyone correct me. Surely a driver using a mobile phone for a second or even a minute on its own could not lead to such a incident?
steve, stoke on trent, England
What a tragic incident, i'm a driver and i can't understand how people in such responsible positions can continue to use phones while in charge of so many peoples lives? My thoughts go out to the relatives and friends of the dead and injured.