MTA Busts 178 Bus Drivers For Texting While Driving

Meanwhile, in Texas. (KWES)

Now that everyone feels nice and safe about the roads after the crash caused by texting in Brooklyn, the MTA reports that they've caught 178 bus drivers texting, and 14 for eating or reading while driving just this year. And depending on their records, some of the drivers were merely "reprimanded" rather than suspended or dismissed.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said, "Rules banning commercial bus and truck drivers from texting on the job and restricting train operators from using cellphones and other electronic devices while in the driver's seat have been posted today." Even though it has been banned since last October.

MTA spokesman Charles Seaton said that the offenders come out of 10,000 drivers, and that the MTA is serious about policing drivers and following up on complaints. But not everyone is punished they way they should be. Bus driver Jeremy Philhower had been suspended for texting while driving, and on his first day back on the job struck and killed a 22-year-old crossing 53rd Street and 9th Avenue. The Post says he was texting at the time, though investigators previously said they didn't believe he was. However, a report shows he did not "scan appropriately" for pedestrians, and was driving too fast. We're about ready to avoid buses even more now.

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By Jaya Saxena in News on September 22, 2010 2:54 PM

Comments [rss]

John L

So the NJT fires an employee for something stupid he does on his day off but the MTA allows these drivers to continue to endanger the lives of pedestrians and riders?

Fire them immediately, after making an example out of two or three the rest will get the message.

WTF?

ErikWood

Business people need to 'hit the ball over the net'. Teens consider it rude not to reply immediately to texts. Home schedules would grind to a halt without immediate communication. We are conditioned to pursue this level of efficiency but we are all supposed cease this behavior once we sit in our respective 5,000 pound pieces of steel and glass. Anyone can win an argument in a forum like this by saying "Just put the phone away" - but we can see its just not happening. These bus drivers are just another user group example...

I just read that 72% of teens text daily - many text more 3000 times a month. New college students no longer have email addresses! They use texting and Facebook - even with their professors. This text and drive issue is in its infancy and its not going away.

I decided to do something about it after my three year old daughter was nearly run down right in front of me by a texting driver . Instead of a shackle that locks down phones and alienates the user (especially teens) I built a tool called OTTER that is a simple app for smartphones - low cost, no recurring fees. I think if we can empower the individual then change will come to our highways now and not just our laws.

Erik Wood, owner

OTTER LLC

OTTER app

Footnote:

- http://www.prlog.org/10871927.html

sidenote

Guessing this is a paid, time-off reprimand?

Rocknrope

Good, bust em all and fire them. Let them starve in the streets. Anyone dumb enough to text while driving deserves to have their livelihood stripped from them.

I only wish a summons for being an annoying a-hole could be given to people who text while walking and slowing to a crawl. If you must be so attached to the online teet, step aside and let other people pass.

schadenfreudian mensch

It's fun reading while driving especially when you're on the highway and putting the risk of everyone on board.

www.kgw.com/news/Rider-records...

Wza

Reading while driving?

Is it really that important?

It reminds me of those folks who read while walking in the streets or going up the stairs.

It's like, I'm glad you're interested in reading, but put the book down, it's not going anywhere.