Driving train while on a mobile - is this allowed?

[tirphil]

This has indeed changed. I went on a test run with a driver some time ago, and he advised that he was (at that time) permitted to use his mobile when driving provided that he was running under green signals.

DBS has since modified its Policy, and drivers are no longer allowed to use mobile phones when the loco is moving. I am not sure whethher they are allowed to use them when staitionary though.

ASLEF have stickers that have been unofficially stuck in class 66 cabs, which say "Don't let your mobile cost you your job".

The EWS rule on mobile usage has developed over the years so to speak! The most recent form of the rule when I was at EWS/DB Schenker was that you were not to use your mobile whilst a train was in motion although you could receive and make calls at a booked calling point. Being held at a signal you were permitted to telephone the signaller (if no STP was available) and you were also permitted to telephone the Trust delay attribution team. I expect that the rule has changed further still though.

 

[Minilad]

They're just as distracting as a mobile all the time they include a display to take a driver's attention away from what is happening in front of them. The frequent displays of dithering, wandering erratic driving by oblivious idiots with them stuck to their windscreens would seem to back this up. By all means have an audible guide, but there is no justification at all for a gadget intended for use by the driver of a moving vehicle to include a detailed display screen. I've yet to hear of anybody driving up a railway line or into a river because their mobile phone told them to! :roll: :roll:

Once again. Don't blame technology for idiots using them inappropriately.
I have seen dithering erratic driving by people using maps while driving. Ban maps too ?

 

[BestWestern]

Once again. Don't blame technology for idiots using them inappropriately.
I have seen dithering erratic driving by people using maps while driving. Ban maps too ?

No, but if I were driving along gazing down at a map I would expect a traffic officer to pull me over. Yet having a sat nav lit up and actually stuck to the windscreen(!!) is perfectly acceptable it would seem.

They are a menace and I wouldn't be at all surprised if one day they are indeed banned, in their current form at least. As I said, by all means have something talking directions at you, but an interactive display screen directed at you when you are actually driving the vehicle is just downright dangerous IMO. Ho hum.
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The EWS rule on mobile usage has developed over the years so to speak! The most recent form of the rule when I was at EWS/DB Schenker was that you were not to use your mobile whilst a train was in motion although you could receive and make calls at a booked calling point. Being held at a signal you were permitted to telephone the signaller (if no STP was available) and you were also permitted to telephone the Trust delay attribution team. I expect that the rule has changed further still though.

That's an awful lot of ambiguity! I'd have thought a blanket rule that mobiles mustn't be used in the cab would cover all the bases?!

 

[Minilad]

That's an awful lot of ambiguity! I'd have thought a blanket rule that mobiles mustn't be used in the cab would cover all the bases?!

Thats fine but there are occasions when they are allowed to be used. For example, unable to contact signaller via NRN

 

[tirphil]

That's an awful lot of ambiguity! I'd have thought a blanket rule that mobiles mustn't be used in the cab would cover all the bases?!

Indeed. And I expect that the DB Schenker rule is probably similar to that of my current employer now. That is that your mobile phone must not be turned on whilst in the cab. No ifs or buts.

 

[BestWestern]

Thats fine but there are occasions when they are allowed to be used. For example, unable to contact signaller via NRN

Does this still stand for any TOCs, or just FOCs? I guess a requirement to leave the cab in all circumstances except genuine emergency would cover most of the angles, though I suppose leaving the cab of a freight loco (or any loco) isn't quite as simple as just walking back into the vestibule/TM/catering area as you might do on unit-based passenger stock!

 

[Smudger105e]

I understand that some signal post telephones are out of bounds to drivers, (because of limited clearance problems) and mobiles can be used to contact the signaller in this situation. I also understand that DBS drivers do not have to have their mobiles switched off in the cab, but must not use them while in motion. This is only my understanding of the situation, and may not be 100% accurate, although I am a shed driver, and have not been told I am not allowed to have a mobile in the cab with me that is not turned off.

Can someone explain to me where is the risk of using a mobile for voice or text communication when the train is stationary? Surely it is no worse than reading a WON, PON or Rule Book while waiting for a signal to clear?

 

[BestWestern]

Can someone explain to me where is the risk of using a mobile for voice or text communication when the train is stationary? Surely it is no worse than reading a WON, PON or Rule Book while waiting for a signal to clear?

I would think it is more to ensure that a preceding telephone conversation doesn't serve to distract a Driver immediately prior to him starting the train away from a stand, for example an argument with the missus or even a request to remember a delay somewhere yesterday could remove the mental focus on the task in hand even after the call has finished. It also ensures that there are no 'grey areas' regarding ending the call before returning to the job of driving the train.

 

[GB]

With my firm being a FOC they specifically issue us with company mobile phones. The only restriction is that it is not to be used when in motion and should be on silent or out of reach while in motion.

No restrictions on using it when at a stand either on the main or in a yard and can be used as primary means of communications with the signaller.
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This is the voluntary standard that the mobile phone policies derive from...

http://www.rgsonline.co.uk/Railway_...ail Industry Standards/RIS-3776-TOM Iss 1.pdf

 

[A-driver]

Can someone explain to me where is the risk of using a mobile for voice or text communication when the train is stationary? Surely it is no worse than reading a WON, PON or Rule Book while waiting for a signal to clear?

A what, what or a what now?! 3 Things I can honestly say would not be read at a red signal (of course mess rooms are full of drivers reading through them...)

 

[TDK]

I guess not however as they don't show train tracks I doupt any train driver has ever tried!

Used a GPS navigation handset to check speedo readings before on trains but not whilst driving - this was in the leading cab but did not distract the driver.

 

[Legzr1]

3 Things I can honestly say would not be read at a red signal

I can guarantee that a driver somewhere in the near future will be stood at an automatic signal displaying a red with a knackered NRN.

Out comes the book : "What were the lastest amendments in the AM module again?..."



Seriously though,WON's contain details of which are the protecting signals for possessions - this info is vital for drivers on their way to TIII's.

You WILL see a lot being read whilst a train stands at reds (if you happen to find yourself in the middle of nowhere at 3am on a Sunday morning).

 

[TDK]

I would think it is more to ensure that a preceding telephone conversation doesn't serve to distract a Driver immediately prior to him starting the train away from a stand, for example an argument with the missus or even a request to remember a delay somewhere yesterday could remove the mental focus on the task in hand even after the call has finished. It also ensures that there are no 'grey areas' regarding ending the call before returning to the job of driving the train.

So we should ban passengers approaching a driver and distracting them just before they pull away? This is rediculous - train drivers are in the job because thay can handle distractions, we have them all the time whilst driving a train, passengers asking us when the nest train is to wherever as we are doing DOO duty, spotters at the edge of platforms with tri-pods, hitting peasants and pigeons the list goes on, however it is proved that using a mobile whilst driving does drop your concentration level to a degree where the people in charge have banned them from use in the cab - these rules put out about not to use a phone when the train is stationary is rubbise to be honest, if this distracts you before you are going to pull away you shouldn't have the job in the first place.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

....hitting peasants and pigeons....

I've heard fatalities being called a few things, but never before have I heard that......or did you mean pheasants?

 

[Legzr1]

when the nest train is to

Had a few birds recently ask me this...

 

[ANorthernGuard]

Had a few birds recently ask me this...

Were these birds Peasants by any chance?

 

[Beveridges]

Where did you get that from? If you are in a driving cab and the train is not moving you will not be dismissed!! Unless of course it is within your company policy - if it is I am certainly glad I don't work for them.

For the rest of you for a driver to be dismissed for mobile phone use you will need solid evidence and that can be obtained from phone records. If I saw something dangerous that needed immediate reporting to the signaller I would certainly use my mobile phone if the NRN was not working after I had brought my train to a stand and I certainly wouldn't get out the cab to do it either as these seconds could mean the difference between life and death

It is my company policy not to have a mobile phone switched on in any cab - whether the key is in or not!
I strongly think its well over the top, if the key is not in nothing could possibly happen.
All this has lead to is MDDs sitting in the saloons to use their mobile while waiting for permission to proceed with the train. Shame really as the cab is more comfortable than the saloon in most of our traction. The company are so strict on this that people will not even risk being caught even if its 02:00 in the morning!
Strangely enough getting a newspaper out in the cab is allowed even if the key is in.

 

[newbie babs]

I don`t think driving anything whilst operating a mobile phone unless in an emergency can be seen as "ok"

I am quite sure the passengers on a train would think the train driver would concentrate on driving and not texting unless absolutely necessary. There should be punishment for anyone caught.

 

[ANorthernGuard]

It is my company policy not to have a mobile phone switched on in any cab - whether the key is in or not!
I strongly think its well over the top, if the key is not in nothing could possibly happen.
All this has lead to is MDDs sitting in the saloons to use their mobile while waiting for permission to proceed with the train. Shame really as the cab is more comfortable than the saloon in most of our traction. The company are so strict on this that people will not even risk being caught even if its 02:00 in the morning!
Strangely enough getting a newspaper out in the cab is allowed even if the key is in.

Yep thats Northern Policy

 

[wbbminerals]

I think DBS drivers can still use their phones whilst waiting at booked stops, I'm basing this on one time when I witnessed a driver change on a test train in the summer. The train stopped outside the station and the outgoing driver called up the driver waiting on the platform to tell him where he was (although it was obvious because we could hear the thrash :P).

 

[pendolino]

It is my company policy not to have a mobile phone switched on in any cab - whether the key is in or not!
I strongly think its well over the top, if the key is not in nothing could possibly happen.

I suspect it is likely to be the case that a ban on using mobile phones in cabs at any time (key on or not) does away with any ambiguity.

 

[BestWestern]

I suspect it is likely to be the case that a ban on using mobile phones in cabs at any time (key on or not) does away with any ambiguity.

Absolutely right. I see no issue with that policy myself, anybody who is that preoccupied with their mobile that they find it an affront to have to put it away for a few hours whilst doing their job needs to take a step back and consider the position :roll:

 

[GB]

Where's the ambiguity with a policy that states ...."while in motion"?

There is absolutely no reason why one can't use a mobile in cab when the train isn't moving.

 

[Beveridges]

it can get boring sitting there doing nothing but waiting 10-20 minutes while a train is being fuelled/repaired or waiting for permission to move up time & time again, and to have to go and sit in the saloon to play with the mobile rather than stay in the more comfortable cab. Using the mobile is only to pass the time while waiting to move on. If your allowed to read the newspaper even if the key is in, I dont see how a mobile is any worse to use especially with the key out.

 

[BestWestern]

Where's the ambiguity with a policy that states ...."while in motion"?

There is absolutely no reason why one can't use a mobile in cab when the train isn't moving.

Driver is sat stationary in a platform, engrossed in his text or phone call or whatever. Suddenly Buzz Buzz "Oh sh*t it's time...", quickly press send, turn phone off, reach down to put it in bag, release brake and power up ,Buzz Buzz back, draw out of platform and... Bang, TPWS. Bugger, that starting signal was red :cry: Chaos on a main line, service cancelled at next appropriate point, Driver off track, etc etc.

It's easy to sit here and argue that if the train isn't moving it's not a distraction, the reality is that risks on the railway need to be mitigated whenever reasonably possible. Allowing Drivers to use their mobiles when they are in the cab in charge of the train, moving or not, is asking for trouble.

 

[CarterUSM]

The 3 P's, No Phones, No Papers, No People. A current Scotrail policy.

 

[150222]

Driver is sat stationary in a platform, engrossed in his text or phone call or whatever. Suddenly Buzz Buzz "Oh sh*t it's time...", quickly press send, turn phone off, reach down to put it in bag, release brake and power up ,Buzz Buzz back, draw out of platform and... Bang, TPWS. Bugger, that starting signal was red :cry: Chaos on a main line, service cancelled at next appropriate point, Driver off track, etc etc.

It's easy to sit here and argue that if the train isn't moving it's not a distraction, the reality is that risks on the railway need to be mitigated whenever reasonably possible. Allowing Drivers to use their mobiles when they are in the cab in charge of the train, moving or not, is asking for trouble.

Isn't that what the DRA is for?

 

[michael769]

No Papers

That explains why at a change of ends the driver can often be seen evicting (presumably the guards) a newspaper from the cab.

 

[swtandgw]

Surely, with GSM-R on the increase, there has to be some kind of exemption? Because if there was an absolute blanket/zilch/zero/nada/nein/rien-policy on some kind of handheld, then wouldn't essential cab-signal-station-TOC communications be hampered?

 

[AndrewP]

I am not in the rail industry or an enthusiast and came across this site whilst doing research of the sector. This means that I can give a view of mobile phone use in other industries

• Phones tend to be banned for non-business use in any customer facing occupation
• Industrial sites tend to have a blanket ban on mobiles (for both safety and commercial sensitivity due to the camera functions)
• In my core industry - Facilities Management - personal phones and calls are banned except for business or personal emergencies

My view is the phone should not be used casually but where there is an actual or potential emergency an exception for their use can be granted.