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Video Catches Chicago Train Operator Texting While Driving…the Train

Sep. 25, 2012 1:51pm
Chicago Train Operator Caught Texting While in Motion for Several Stops | Video

(Photo: CBS2)

With the massive public relations campaign against texting and driving sweeping the airwaves, one would think an individual operating a train would know better than to engage in such a distracting activity.

Apparently not, according to one man who caught the operator of his Blue Line train in Chicago texting during rush hour for multiple stops.

CBS2 Chicago relates:

β€œIt took me a couple of stops where I watched her do this before I realized, is this really what she is doing?” said the rider, who asked that his identity not be revealed.

[...]

After the passenger witnessed the CTA operator using her cell phone several times while the train was moving along the tracks, he decided to document the behavior using his own cell phone. The video he took shows the train operator texting with her left hand while the train was in motion.

β€œWhen a person is trying to do two things and they are not paying attention to what they are looking at, that’s an accident waiting to happen,” the passenger says.

CBS2 Chicago has more, including the video of the woman texting:

The CTA is stressing that there are emergency safeguards in place in case the train’s operator becomes incapacitated, but says it has a zero tolerance policy for something like texting.

β€œThe CTA is doing a very thorough investigation of this matter and we are pursuing discipline up to and including discharge,” CTA spokesman Brian Steele remarked.

CBS notes that a Boston trolley conductor texting his girlfriend caused a crash that injured 49 people in 2009, and a Los Angeles commuter rail crashed into a freight train in 2008, killing 25 people, just after the operator sent a text message.

β€œThe drivers have a lot of people riding their trains,” the CTA passenger warned. β€œThey need to be aware that there’s a lot of peoples’ lives on their trains.Β  An accident won’t just hurt them; it could hurt a lot of people who ride the trains every day.”

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Comments (45)

  • jeffile
    Posted on September 26, 2012 at 12:11pm

    Maybe it’s just me but I cannot fathom what in the world a train driver could be texting about. ” I just passed mile ten and oops I farted.” Maybe, “I hate these pants I bought yesterday”.

    Report this comment

    jeffile  
  • OniKaze
    Posted on September 26, 2012 at 12:08pm

    I understand the outrage (if this was a BUS driver) but Trains are “self Steering” thanks to the recent discovery of TRAIN TRACKS…. And many trains that I see are computer driven and the “driver” is only there in case of a system failure in which case then the “driver” will actually have to do something…

    I had a buddy work on a modern train, and he told me that he ONLY has to do something in case there is a computer system failure. His train drives itself (arriving and departing) and he was only there in case the comp. glitches out.. He said the only thing he actually does is keep looking forward at the track every few minutes to make sure a cow or car isn’t on the track…

    I don’t know if these trains are the same, but I assume THAT is why they can text and “drive”…

    So I could be wrong (and if so, and you know something, please educate me) but I don’t see a problem with this if I am not…

    Report this comment

    OniKaze  
    • Angry-Elf
      Posted on September 26, 2012 at 1:04pm

      I think the conductors have to announce the stations as well…

      Report this comment

      Angry-Elf  
    • Amarath01
      Posted on September 26, 2012 at 1:28pm

      What are these train tracks and were can i get them .. i only have this hover car to trade.

      Rofl i agree to you demon (prefer ogre)wind this is a joke and how cares.

      Report this comment

      Amarath01  
  • LukeAppling
    Posted on September 26, 2012 at 11:06am

    Try to fire her! Perhaps Emanuel will step in he caved to the Teacher’s union he can cave to the Motorman union, they vote.

    Report this comment

    LukeAppling  
  • RamonPreston
    Posted on September 25, 2012 at 10:42pm

    I am so stupid that when I want to communicate with someone I put it up to my ear.

    Report this comment

    RamonPreston  
    • Eastinfection
      Posted on September 26, 2012 at 7:10am

      i prefer texting because then i don’t have to listen to people that won’t shut up.

      Report this comment

      Eastinfection  
  • SandyfromChesterfield
    Posted on September 25, 2012 at 9:28pm

    Seven drivers were disciplined but how many have been fired? (crickets)

    Report this comment

    SandyfromChesterfield  
  • lel2007
    Posted on September 25, 2012 at 4:58pm

    Let’s not get our knickers all in a twist over the texting train driver. It’s not as though a TRAIN can stop on a dime, no matter how much you may wish they could. My only concern is WHO WAS STEERING the dam thing?

    Report this comment

    lel2007  
  • schroeder123
    Posted on September 25, 2012 at 4:05pm

    Zero Torrence ? and if you get caught, you will be Disciplined. What ???

    Zero Tolerance mean Fired..to me….. Who the heck is in charge ???

    Report this comment

    schroeder123  
  • Eastinfection
    Posted on September 25, 2012 at 3:29pm

    This is what can happen when you text while “driving” a train…..

    http://www.popscreen.com/v/5YWEC/Train-crash-mash

    Report this comment

    Eastinfection  
  • oldduffer
    Posted on September 25, 2012 at 3:19pm

    She’ll get suspended then the Union will call for a transport strike for the city. She gets fired and the SEIU will go on strike and refuse to pick up the trash at City Hall and Rahm will have to sit there after hours.

    Report this comment

    oldduffer  
  • Tri-ox
    Posted on September 25, 2012 at 3:15pm

    Just another unionist doing what unionists do best – ANYTHING but their jobs.

    Report this comment

    Tri-ox  
    • RamonPreston
      Posted on September 25, 2012 at 10:46pm

      She was getting ready for her date and not paying attention to her job. Bosses hate that.

      Report this comment

      RamonPreston  
    • OniKaze
      Posted on September 26, 2012 at 12:14pm

      But.. But… Unions are the backbone of our country, and in today’s world of slow communication, and rampant employee abuse and safety code violations, Unions are required in order to keep employee rights and safety secured….

      HAHAHAHA… Sorry, I can’t keep a straight face while saying (or typing) that….

      I agree…. Unions have been obsolete for decades… And as a person who is NON-UNION who deals with MANY companies that ARE union, I can tell you, I go into a Union shop, and all I see is a guy spending 10 hours at work doing about 1 to 2 hours of ACTUAL work…. ALL while getting paid for about 15 Hours of work…

      Unions… It must be nice to get paid for NOT working… Maybe I will try it sometime if I can ever get past my own Moral code of not letting people pay me for NOT working (charity / welfare)….

      Report this comment

      OniKaze  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:46pm

    This clip should help even the simplest of simple minded obamazombies understand how public sector unions are bad for America,have a look simpletons.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su4PwZCWUdg

    Report this comment

    progressiveslayer  
  • floridareader
    Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:21pm

    “The CTA is stressing that there are emergency safeguards in place in case the train’s operator becomes incapacitated”.
    Does “incapacitated” include stupid, irresponsible, lazy, dangerous, inept…?

    Report this comment

    floridareader  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:50pm

      On our light rail system such ‘safety devices’ includes one at the end of each rail line called the ‘dead mans run.’ That is a stretch of track ending in a thick wall backed by thick layers of girders; it stops the train and God alone knows how many people onboard will die.

      This operator should never drive a train again. When it comes to driving a train, bus or airplane, the safety of the passanges is first, foremost and always.

      Report this comment

      Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • huey6367
    Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:13pm

    It’s Chicago so she belongs to a union and there is nothing that can be done. Discipline her and she will cry racism. But there is video evidence….

    Report this comment

    huey6367  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:11pm

    Public sector unions are the worst,you can f up all you want and can’t be fired.

    Report this comment

    progressiveslayer  
  • tbo
    Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:09pm

    The video states that the viewer saw “something shocking soooo shocking”… then the clip goes to a RAM Truck commercial. After the commercial stops so does the video. I guess RAM Trucks are shocking.

    Given that, I want to state that I hate the commercials at the beginning of just about every video. Now event on You-Tube. Whats next commercials or advertising on your FaceBook page? Shocking I know. Also while I am at my complainin, the pop up adds that cover the text of either the story or comments are beyond shocking. Downright irritating.

    Report this comment

    tbo  
  • ZAP
    Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:09pm

    That guy that taped the operator is a racist

    Report this comment

    ZAP  
  • woodyee
    Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:08pm

    PUBLIC union employee. She’ll get a slap on the wrist, but only because her supervisors were forced to, thanks to this video. I’ll bet there are LOT’S of people that knew about this beforehand, and some who spoke up about it and were ignored.

    Report this comment

    woodyee  
  • DimmuBorgir
    Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:02pm

    What is she going to make a wrong turn in the couple of seconds it takes to look down and type a couple letters?

    Report this comment

    DimmuBorgir  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:04pm

      You are not usually that stupid. Being sarcastic?

      Report this comment

      13th Imam  
    • rpp
      Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:12pm

      The miss a signal that say “Stop” or “Slow”, then BAM! they hit something or someone. Just like the accidents mentioned in the article.

      Report this comment

      rpp  
    • huey6367
      Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:20pm

      You realize it takes a train about a mile to stop. Don’t you?

      Report this comment

      huey6367  
    • DimmuBorgir
      Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:20pm

      yeah more sarcasm in that one, cause you don’t really steer anything on rails.

      Report this comment

      DimmuBorgir  
    • DimmuBorgir
      Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:27pm

      sorry to all the people who live in cities with trains/subways. I was just kidding around.

      Report this comment

      DimmuBorgir  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:42pm

      I would agree with you, you don’t steer a train, besides, you are taught not to play on the train tracks, now you know why. And in defense of the conductor, he wasn’t texting, he was sexting, there is a big difference.

      Report this comment

      Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
  • term limits for congress
    Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:01pm

    Her union will protect her.

    Report this comment

    term limits for congress  

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