I'd have guessed that with interlocked signals and switches that setting up a collision would be impossible. Perhaps he authorized passing a stop signal. An engineer texting on his cell phone was the cause of the collision in Chatsworth, CA in September 2008 that killed 25 people and spawned Congress' ill-advised multi-billion dollar demand for Positive Train Control. The common denominator is the phone and I can't understand the addiction. At my workplace we finally put a rule in place that no one can walk and talk on a cell pone at the same time, as we had a number of trip-and-fall incidents while people were yammering on their phones and not watching their step. Used responsibly, cell phones are a fine thing, but it appears that an increasing number of people are seriously endangering themselves and others with them. Several months ago I had a life-flashed-before-my-eyes incident when a car crossed over the center line on a curve and almost collided with me. Driver was messing with his phone. I was so shocked that I soon pulled off the road to settle my mind and heart. I wonder if the guy on the phone gave the incident a second's thought.
Mississippi has increased the fine for texting while driving to $100 from $25 per incident, though I doubt that will have any effect. I see one/two young drivers texting EVERY time I drive US-49 into Gulfport. That doesn't count the dozens of drivers of ALL ages talking on phones each day. Almost every teacher leaving our local elementary school is on the phone, and those who are not are dialing their phone. I'm terrified by the high number of people who have no concept that controlling a vehicle, be it a train, boat, truck, automobile, tractor, or any other heavy machine is a full-time job. (Rant Off )
You are not alone. Too many people are wrapped up in their sad little lives today, not caring even a tiny bit about their effect upon the lives of others all around them. As if they are the most important person on earth. Selfishness beyond belief.
On one downtown college campus (Washington DC), they put signs down on the sidewalk warning idiots to look up before crossing the street into traffic. Several students almost became hood ornaments because they were engrossed in their phones and stepped off the curb without looking.
