A panel of rail experts has made a series of recommendations for SoCal's troubled commuter rail system, Metrolink, that are aimed at a complete overhaul of the current safety systems in the wake of the deadly Chatsworth train crash.
Metrolink's safety record has come under intense scrutiny since the September 12th train crash in Chatsworth near Los Angeles, not only from the media, but also from rail safely experts and lawmakers. The cause of the accident was initially traced to the failure of engineer Robert Sanchez to stop at a red light just minutes before the head-on collision with a Union Pacific freight train. Since then, investigations which are still ongoing, have focused on the reasons for the missed signal, and have centered on text messages that Sanchez sent on his cell phone while he was on the train. New rules have come into force that prohibit essential crew on board a train to use their cell phones while the train is in operation.
There has also been scrutiny of the condition of the signal lights on the day of the fatal train accident. In recent weeks, new testimony has corroborated earlier witness allegations that the signal light that the Metrolink train went through before it collided with the fright train was green, and not red as claimed by the agency. There has also been concern that the signal lights were poorly visible, raising the possibility that Sanchez might not have seen the light at all, which would take the onus of responsibility off the dead engineer's shoulders.
Now, a panel of experts has submitted a set of recommendations after a three-month review of the agency's operations, and its suggestions have been made public. Among the panel's many recommendations is the oversight of all contract employees, and the live video monitoring of train crews. The panel also drew attention to the agency's old system of recordkeeping that made it hard to identify problems with equipment and machinery. Criticism has been leveled at almost every level of Metrolink's functioning, including the inefficient methods used for testing employee performance records involving tons of paperwork. The panel has also recommended training for agency board members. Many board members at Metrolink have agreed that this was a much-needed measure. Currently, the board is composed of county representatives, who may or may not have any experience at all in rail-related matters. There has also been an interesting recommendation made regarding the availability of medical and psychiatric testing of employees in important positions on board trains, like engineers and conductors.
Unfortunately, most of what seems to be happening since the deadly train crash are recommendations, and not much else. The progress made towards enhancing safety measures at Metrolink is moving along at a slow pace. The agency has in the past shown a considerable reluctance to act fast on safety issues, and experts are wondering if these recommendations will be taken in a different light.
Author Resource:-
The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims Please visit our website at
trlglaw.com. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us.
The Reeves Law Group is not acting as legal counsel for any party in the matters discussed in this posting.
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