Comments on: Common Sense Policies http://www.nextstopstl.org/411/common-sense-policies/ A Conversation About Transit Fri, 03 Sep 2010 03:52:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jennifer http://www.nextstopstl.org/411/common-sense-policies/comment-page-1/#comment-42 Jennifer Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:14:21 +0000 http://www.nextstopstl.org/?p=411#comment-42 If there were a law against stupidity, Jimmy Z, I bet we'd all be in the slammer from time to time! What you said re: enforcement is really the crux, isn't it? Vigilant enforcement - and serious consequences for violation - help fill in the gaps where common sense is lacking. If there were a law against stupidity, Jimmy Z, I bet we’d all be in the slammer from time to time! What you said re: enforcement is really the crux, isn’t it? Vigilant enforcement – and serious consequences for violation – help fill in the gaps where common sense is lacking.

]]> By: Jimmy Z http://www.nextstopstl.org/411/common-sense-policies/comment-page-1/#comment-40 Jimmy Z Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:58:48 +0000 http://www.nextstopstl.org/?p=411#comment-40 One, you can't legislate common sense, otherwise there'd be a law called Criminal Stupidity. Two, laws and rules are only as good as their enforcement. And three, employers can set any reasonable rules they want as a condition of employment - if you don't like the rules, new or old, you have the choice to seek employment elsewhere. Otherwise, to keep your job, you need to follow the rules (what's so complicated about that?) OR get the rule(s) changed. One, you can’t legislate common sense, otherwise there’d be a law called Criminal Stupidity. Two, laws and rules are only as good as their enforcement. And three, employers can set any reasonable rules they want as a condition of employment – if you don’t like the rules, new or old, you have the choice to seek employment elsewhere. Otherwise, to keep your job, you need to follow the rules (what’s so complicated about that?) OR get the rule(s) changed.

]]> By: Suzanne http://www.nextstopstl.org/411/common-sense-policies/comment-page-1/#comment-38 Suzanne Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:50:50 +0000 http://www.nextstopstl.org/?p=411#comment-38 Have you seen the video of the van operator texting in San Antonio? Check the link here http://www.woai.com/content/troubleshooters/story/National-texting-ban-possible/dOtmoiW9VEeYwVoj5YGVQA.cspx This is a clear example of why texting and driving do not go together. If this isn't proof enough, the LA Metrolink head-on collision last year was also linked back to the train operator texting before he went through a red signal and crashed into the Union Pacific train. You can't pay attention while texting to a complex action like driving. Anyone that is in a safety critical role that is allowing themselves to be distracted is putting the public in danger. It does depend on the role of the individual and the activity they are engaged in when using a personal cell phone. Driving the public is an important job that needs to be taken seriously. Managing employees is the best way to handle this. An all out ban to carry a cellphone may be a little ridiculous, since operators do get breaks and may have personal calls to make on a break. But there is no excuse for texting while driving especially when you are driving the public and are expected to be a professional safe driver! Have you seen the video of the van operator texting in San Antonio? Check the link here http://www.woai.com/content/troubleshooters/story/National-texting-ban-possible/dOtmoiW9VEeYwVoj5YGVQA.cspx

This is a clear example of why texting and driving do not go together. If this isn’t proof enough, the LA Metrolink head-on collision last year was also linked back to the train operator texting before he went through a red signal and crashed into the Union Pacific train.

You can’t pay attention while texting to a complex action like driving. Anyone that is in a safety critical role that is allowing themselves to be distracted is putting the public in danger. It does depend on the role of the individual and the activity they are engaged in when using a personal cell phone.

Driving the public is an important job that needs to be taken seriously. Managing employees is the best way to handle this. An all out ban to carry a cellphone may be a little ridiculous, since operators do get breaks and may have personal calls to make on a break. But there is no excuse for texting while driving especially when you are driving the public and are expected to be a professional safe driver!

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