October 3, 2008 MBTA cracks down on drivers who text or talk while on the job Play video

(NECN: Brad Puffer, Boston, Mass.) - Federal regulators have issued a ban on cell phone use and other electronic devices by rail workers. It is an effort to prevent deadly crashes, like the one last month in Los Angeles, where the driver was sending text messages right before the collision.

In New England, the MBTA says it is already cracking down.

MBTA officials say the transit agency has
suspended nine bus and trolley drivers since May for texting or
talking on their cell phones while driving.

The suspensions range in length from three days to 10 days, the
maximum punishment short of termination.

T General Manager Daniel Grabausakas tells the Boston Herald the
agency has to be tough on the violators because they hold the lives
of passengers in their hands.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority stepped up
enforcement of the rule following a May 28th trolley crash in
Newton that resulted in the death of the driver. Although there
were reports that Terrese Edmonds was using a cell phone just
before the crash, an investigation ultimately determined there was
no evidence she was using her phone.

*Material from the Associated Press used in this report*