Home » Transportation and Trucking Articles » Ray LaHood Calls for Reduction of Distracted Operating
Ray LaHood Calls for Reduction of Distracted Operating
Distracted driving affects multiple modes of transportation, with tragic consequences.
September 08, 2011 /Transportation and Trucking PR News/ -- Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood spends significant time combating distracted driving. Under his leadership, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched distraction.gov, a website intended to educate the public about the dangers of distracted driving, what constitutes distracted driving and provide data on the nation's distracted driving habits.
Presently, LaHood has expanded his campaign against distracted driving to other modes of transportation. LaHood and the nation's transportation safety agencies are currently aiming to reduce the rates of distracted operating by train, plane, and ship operators. In recent years, these industries have suffered several accidents that would have been prevented if crew members were not careless or negligent in their operating habits.
One early example in the railroad industry occurred in 2008, when a commuter train ran a red signal and collided head-on with a freight train in Los Angeles. The engineer was texting at the time of the accident. Unfortunately, he had a history of doing so while on the job. As a result of his distracted operating behavior, 25 people tragically lost their lives and many others were injured.
Unfortunately, this type of reckless behavior is not restricted to the railroad industry. In 2010, distracted operating accidents occurred in both the airline and shipping industries.
Last year, two pilots on a Northwest Airlines flight overflew their destination by over 100 miles before a flight attendant asked about preparing for landing. The pilots were using their personal laptops at the time. The FAA temporarily revoked their licenses as a result of their behavior. In 2010, an additional incident occurred on the nation's waterways, when a tugboat ran over a "duck boat" tour boat in the Delaware River, killing two tourists. The tugboat's mate in charge of operating the ship was on his cell phone and using his personal laptop at the time of the accident. In the hour and a half before the crash, the operator had received 13 phone calls.
These tragic incidents have prompted the NHTSA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to pursue government regulation of distracted operating. These agencies would like to influence public opinion towards distracted operating like they did with previous campaigns against drunk driving and the promotion of seatbelt use. The effort would involve public education, regulation, and commitment from transportation companies to enforce policies against distracted operating. Northwest Airlines had such a policy in order when its pilots overflew their destination. The Coast Guard has also warned its mariners against using cell phones or other personal electronics while on duty, and has deemed the behavior unacceptable. Last year, LaHood proposed a rule that would restrict or prohibit the use of personal electronics--including cell phones--by employees responsible for the safe operation of a train.
In light of recent events, any effort by LaHood, the NHTSA or the NTSB to educate the public about the dangers of distracted driving and distracted operating or attempt to regulate the use of personal electronics while operating vehicles will be a step in the right direction.
Injuries and fatalities resulting from distracted operating are preventable and unacceptable tragedies. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a distracted operator, please contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can advise you of your options.
Article provided by Fishman McIntyre P.C.
Visit us at www.jaeleelaw.com
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