Drivers and mobile phone use?

[falcon]

Are train drivers allowed to view or use their or company mobiles whilst driving a train?

 

[ungreat]

No

 

[Need2]

Are train drivers allowed to view or use their or company mobiles whilst driving a train?

I know you’ve asked the question, but honestly, what do you think?

 

[falcon]

No

Nothing not even read a text?

Thanks.

 

[baz962]

Nothing not even read a text?

Thanks.

Not even supposed to be on . I was taught off and out of reach.

 

[coxxy]

100% no.. turned off and out of reach.

 

[hexagon789]

Nothing not even read a text?

Thanks.

Why would you think they would be any different to road users out of curiosity? They are still in charge of a moving vehicle and is this case it is a considerably longer, heavier and generally faster moving vehicle with a far greater stopping distance.

 

[falcon]

Why would you think they would be any different to road users out of curiosity? They are still in charge of a moving vehicle and is this case it is a considerably longer, heavier and generally faster moving vehicle with a far greater stopping distance.

I just thought that the driver might be allowed to contact the signalman or his manager if there was an issue.

 

[ainsworth74]

I just thought that the driver might be allowed to contact the signalman or his manager if there was an issue.

That's what the GSMR radio is for.

 

[L401CJF]

I just thought that the driver might be allowed to contact the signalman or his manager if there was an issue.

Driver would communite to the Signaller using the GSMR (radio). Any instructions for the driver from the TOCs control team such as early termination due to delays etc would be communicated to the driver via the Cab to Cab communication system from the guard (or does at my TOC anyway)

Not sure how this sort of thing is done under driver only operation.

 

[falcon]

That's what the GSMR radio is for.

Has every train got them now. What does GSMR stand for?

 

[hexagon789]

I just thought that the driver might be allowed to contact the signalman or his manager if there was an issue.

They have GSMR for that purpose, there have been a few accidents where the driver did use their mobile to call the emergency services but that's an emergency situation.

 

[falcon]

Has every train got them now. What does GSMR stand for?

Got it.

Global System for Mobile Communications-Railway.

 

[baz962]

If and only if , all other means of communication are not available. GSMR down or loss of signal and no lineside or signal post telephone in reach , then you can turn it on and use it. I had to once when doo and the GSMR dropped out and a tree was blocking my path. I told the signaller , that was the case.

 

[dk1]

All phones, tablets etc must be switched off in driving cabs. Even having them on silent is no longer acceptable & ASLEF have been advising for a long while now that there would be nothing they could do to assist any member being stupid enough to do otherwise in a hearing/tribunal.

 

[Magtogrid]

My TOC doesnt have GSMR. We have our own radio system that can contact the signallers but is pretty much ignored. Our policy is to have our company mobile switched on, on silent in our bags, and to use them if the signaller doesn’t answer our radio callbacks (which is 100% of the time). Obviously this is only to be done when we are static.

 

[dk1]

My TOC doesnt have GSMR. We have our own radio system that can contact the signallers but is pretty much ignored. Our policy is to have our company mobile switched on, on silent in our bags, and to use them if the signaller doesn’t answer our radio callbacks (which is 100% of the time). Obviously this is only to be done when we are static.

Whatever TOC is that?

 

[357]

My TOC doesnt have GSMR. We have our own radio system that can contact the signallers but is pretty much ignored. Our policy is to have our company mobile switched on, on silent in our bags, and to use them if the signaller doesn’t answer our radio callbacks (which is 100% of the time). Obviously this is only to be done when we are static.

What TOC is this?

 

[Darandio]

Whatever TOC is that?

I'm wondering that too. Our new member has a location down as 'Northeast' but i'm certain every TOC up here now uses GSMR and has done for several years.

 

[158747]

I thought GSMR was compulsory equipment for all trains that operate on Network Rail.

 

[skyhigh]

I'm wondering that too. Our new member has a location down as 'Northeast' but i'm certain every TOC up here now uses GSMR and has done for several years.

Only thing I can guess is Tyne and Wear Metro (unsure if that uses GSMR), but that's not exactly a 'TOC'.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jan 2022 ==

All phones, tablets etc must be switched off in driving cabs.

I suppose the only exception to that is where tablets are used as a Driver Advisory System- as I think LNER do and there's a dedicated tablet mount on the driving desk?

 

[158747]

My TOC doesnt have GSMR. We have our own radio system that can contact the signallers but is pretty much ignored. Our policy is to have our company mobile switched on, on silent in our bags, and to use them if the signaller doesn’t answer our radio callbacks (which is 100% of the time). Obviously this is only to be done when we are static.

If your TOC does not have GSMR, how are you able to make or receive an emergency call?

 

[driverd]

Far as I'm aware this is TOC/FOC specific. Certainly I've heard speak of plenty of other companies who have pretty lax policies - (though caveated here that this is word of mouth from other drivers, based on what they've seen other drivers at other TOC/FOCs doing).

Certainly could understand it in the freight world, where contact with control etc could be difficult without a guard on the train.

 

[falcon]

Far as I'm aware this is TOC/FOC specific. Certainly I've heard speak of plenty of other companies who have pretty lax policies - (though caveated here that this is word of mouth from other drivers, based on what they've seen other drivers at other TOC/FOCs doing).

Certainly could understand it in the freight world, where contact with control etc could be difficult without a guard on the train.

Do you think DB cargo might allow it?

 

[TheEdge]

Do you think DB cargo might allow it?

So you want to know if you can report the driver you saw on the phone then?

 

[dk1]

I thought GSMR was compulsory equipment for all trains that operate on Network Rail.

Exactly. Thrown me completely.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jan 2022 ==

Only thing I can guess is Tyne and Wear Metro (unsure if that uses GSMR), but that's not exactly a 'TOC'.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jan 2022 ==


I suppose the only exception to that is where tablets are used as a Driver Advisory System- as I think LNER do and there's a dedicated tablet mount on the driving desk?

Of course, but they lockdown everything else on the tablet.

 

[skyhigh]

So you want to know if you can report the driver you saw on the phone then?

Was the impression I was getting to be honest.

 

[Elecman]

the driver involved in the Bromsgrove derailment incident was certainly using his whilst driving

 

[dk1]

Do you think DB cargo might allow it?

You are beginning to worry me now.

 

[ComUtoR]

It is not expressly forbidden by the rulebook. The rulebook does allow for mobile phone use under specific conditions.