Anyone who gets behind the wheel of a motor vehicle and uses a cell phone puts others at risk. But certain drivers are especially dangerous, considering the type of vehicle and the number of potential victims. That is the case when it comes to bus drivers. A recent crackdown on New York’s Mass Transportation Authority (MTA) bus drivers has resulted in over 300 receiving citations and being pulled from duty.
It’s not just an issue with cell phone use, however. Many of these drivers also received citations for other dangerous actions, such as failing to signal before turning and running a red light.
There is good reason for focusing on MTA bus drivers. Compared to the same time period in 2012, between January and July 2013, there has been a ten percent increase in the number of accidents involving MTA buses. During this span of time there were nearly 3,400 accidents. Officials have speculated this could be attributed to less experienced drivers on the road, according to the New York Daily News.
MTA Undercover Surveillance
Dispatchers who posed as passengers spent the past several weeks monitoring drivers. They gave citations for more than 400 violations to 371 drivers. One MTA bus driver was even taken out of service for waving at another driver, according to the New York Daily News. Although it may seem minor, MTA regulations stipulate that drivers must keep both hands on the wheel at all times, unless completely stopped at a traffic light.
If injured in an accident involving a bus, victims may pursue legal action. An attorney can help determine if the driver was negligent and the legal options that may be available. To fully understand your rights after an accident, contact Gacovino, Lake & Associates at (800) 246-4878.
