June 22nd, 2009z_gryphon11:25 pm - Metro train wreck in DCEarly reports indicate that one train was stopped when the other hit it. At this point at least six people are known to have been killed in the crash, and the mess is big and tangled enough that I wouldn't be surprised if that isn't the final tally. Upwards of 70 injuries being reported at the moment.At the risk of seeming ghoulish - but then, we're always at least at risk of seeming ghoulish in this community, aren't we? - it will be interesting to see how the investigation into this deal unfolds, since at first blush it seems like a sort of accident we've seen before - a scenario modern railways are supposed to be prepared for already.(3 comments | Leave a comment)From:kajivar Date:June 23rd, 2009 04:43 am (UTC) **(Link)**It won't surprise me if it comes out that the operator of the moving train was texting or on the phone. We've had two incidents in Boston recently, one with a fatality (the driver), both involving texting.(Reply) (Thread) From:z_gryphon Date:June 23rd, 2009 06:12 am (UTC) **(Link)**It never ceases to amaze me how inventive people are at finding new expressions of the this is why we can't have nice things principle...(Reply) (Parent) (Thread) From:zonereyrie Date:June 23rd, 2009 12:13 pm (UTC) **(Link)**Yeah, texting while driving, for people who find that just talking on the phone while driving isn't distracting enough. But doing either while operating public transport is really just uncalled for.I will admit that I have emailed/texted while driving a few times - on the highway, when no other vehicle was even close to me. I know it is risky, but I'm happy to limit the risk to myself and not take someone else with me. (Generally it is responding to some urgent query from work.)It is especially stupid for the T operators - they stop every few minutes anyway, arrange your booty call *then*. Not while in motion.(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)
z_gryphon
kajivar Date:June 23rd, 2009 04:43 am (UTC) **(Link)**It won't surprise me if it comes out that the operator of the moving train was texting or on the phone. We've had two incidents in Boston recently, one with a fatality (the driver), both involving texting.(Reply) (Thread)