It’s becoming a modern day issue and not just saved for the teenagers or drivers in personal vehicles--texting while driving is making headlines again as the head of the Boston transit authority has announced a ban on cell phones for all train, trolley, and bus operators. Last week, a 24-year-old trolley operator injured 49 people after crashing into another trolley while sending a text message to his girlfriend. Last September, 25 people were killed and 125 injured after a commuter train in California crashed after the engineer was sending and receiving text messages. There are a number of state laws restricting cell phone and texting use while driving.
Seventeen states plus the District of Columbia also ban cell phones for school bus drivers. Currently, there are no laws against cell phones for other operators of public transportation vehicles.
No matter who is behind the wheel, here are some tips for helping to reduce cell phone distractions:
If you need to make a call, pull off the road completely.
If you must place a call while driving, speed dial or voice-activated dialing can keep your eyes on the road. Also, make sure you are wearing a headset or using a hands-free system.
If you receive a call or text on the road, resist the temptation to answer—let your voice mail pick it up or let the message wait in the in-box,
If it is an urgent call, briefly tell the other party you’ll call right back once parked in a safe location. Most cell phones remember the last few calls received, making it easy to return the call.
Don’t text and drive. Texting is a distraction for the mind, eyes, and at least one hand—all of which are needed for driving.
Bottom line: Like the bumper sticker says, hang up and drive. Operating a phone in any fashion while driving can be a dangerous distraction.
—Liza Barth
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