MTA Caught 178 Bus Drivers Texting
Without question, technology has completely changed the amount of time & ways we communicate with one another. Text messages happens to be one of the most popular forms of communication for people of all ages. While it has its benefits, it also has major drawbacks. The major drawbacks mainly stem from safety concerns.
While it is common sense that people should not be sending text messages while driving, it has not stopped millions of people from doing so at one point or another. This past Sunday, a 53 year old deliveryman, was struck & eventually pronounced brain dead, after being hit by a teen who was sending text messages while driving.
On the heels of this story, the MTA reports that over the last year, they have caught 178 bus drivers sending text messages while driving & 14 for eating while driving. Jaya Saxena of Gothamist has more:
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.
Click here for the complete report.
When you look at the numbers, 178 bus drivers out of the thousands overall is small. However 178 drivers engaging in such a dangerous activity is 178 too many. I also have to question why all of these drivers did not receive the same punishment? Quite honestly if these drivers were fired, it would be hard to defend them as their actions were dangerous & completely irresponsible.
xoxo Transit Blogger
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