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8 bullet train drivers used cell phones while driving: JR Tokai

27 Comments

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism says that an internal investigation by JR Tokai found that eight shinkansen (bullet train) drivers had used their cell phones for making calls and sending email while on the job.

The investigation was carried out by JR Tokai after it was revealed that one of its drivers emailed three colleagues while operating a train from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka on Nov 22. One of the email recipients reported the incident, according to Sankei Shimbun.

A JR Tokai spokesperson said the company questioned over 4,000 train conductors working on bullet train and standard services. The information collected suggested that eight drivers had been seen using their personal cell phones while driving, Sankei reported.

A ministry spokesperson said that using personal cell phones while driving is forbidden by ministerial ordinance and that a letter of caution had been sent to JR Tokai as a result of the findings. The drivers' punishments for the infractions are to be handled by JR Tokai.

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27 Comments
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eight drivers had been seen using their personal cell phones while driving

I wonder how many more have not been reported, or have not been caught using their cellphones?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

That's crazy. Not even in the car while driving, but while driving a bullet train at the speed of 300 kmh carrying hundreds of passengers? Only while darting a glance at his mobile or while dialing, the train would run 700 meters if not one km.

It seems after some working hours they lose their sense of danger and responsibility. Let alone private conversations are prime distracting factor while driving. At companies, white or blue collars, private telephone conversation are not permitted either in the office or at the production line.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The trains basically work like airplanes. Auto pilot.

What if the driver needs to use the toilet? Is he not allowed to go, or does he have diapers from NASA?

People being sneaky and ratting is more dangerous to an organization.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

punishment... why don't you "re-trained" them.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Not such a big deal. It's not like they're able to stop or swerve suddenly to avoid a collision. One reason I wouldn't want to do it for a living. At those speeds you're helpless, like a person tied to the front of a missile.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I use the cockroach theory when listening to Japanese businesses admitting infractions. Multiply every one admission by 10 to get the real number

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Wonder how old these guys are. Bet they are all or mostly in their 20's. They grew up with cellphones glued to their hands and don't think it's a big deal (except for the rare one; sneaky little rat who tattled) so the "Do NOT Use Your Cell Phone While Driving" talk went right over their heads. Back when JR was JNR, those guys were amazing. From the ticket checker who was able to rattle off how much you owe as tickets were being piled up around him to the platform guys who were able to kindly direct you to your destination (catch ---train to --- then blah blah) to the drivers who came to a stop on a dime. Young JR staffer nowadays though are another breed.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I use the cockroach theory when listening to Japanese businesses admitting infractions. Multiply every one admission by 10 to get the real number

Very true!, I always say they are off by AT LEAST an order of magnitude haha

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The trains basically work like airplanes. Auto pilot. What if the driver needs to use the toilet? Is he not allowed to go, or does he have diapers from NASA? People being sneaky and ratting is more dangerous to an organization.

Not true...Drivers need to keep track of where they are. If a driver were to go to the restroom while running a train, he could easily get disorientated not know where is. I believe that they can easily use the restroom while stopped at a station.

Also, there are traffic lights and signal on the track, and in their instrumentation that they need to be aware of as well, so that the driver can stop safely if something goes wrong.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The trains basically work like airplanes. Auto pilot

No. The train works as long as someone is physically on the seat and grabbing the lever. Once the driver lets go of this lever, the train's system automatically slows the train down until it stops.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Just find a way to prevent them from bringing cell phones into the cockpit.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Don't these machines basically drive themselves now?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

What if they were used whilst stopped at stations? Not saying it was like this, but just for arguments sake.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The trains are basically computer driven until approaching stations, then the drivers take over once the speed drop below around 80 kph, to control the arrival position on the platform.

Expect to see a lot of drivers cutting the grass with scissors on JR premises, their motivation punishment...

1 ( +2 / -1 )

This really is a storm in a teacup. Like many have said, the trains do infact drive themselves after the driver has pushed a couple of buttons after receiving the all clear to proceed from the guard. I suspect they were not making calls while this was happening. Just another example of JT Tokai treating its staff like robots.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Nice, 8 idiot bullet train drivers?? and here in JAPAN?? Idiot fools!!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Get hands-free devices, or get a ticket, ha!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

My godness, these guys must be arrested and tortured for doing a so serious infraction....

Now talking serious, japanese and its stupid strict rules. The big problem is that everyone accepts this kind of treatment.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Don't these machines basically drive themselves now?

No. They don't . The shinkansen is still a very manually driven train, and takes MANY constant inputs from the driver. They don't just set the speed and forget it until they get to the next station. They have to constantly adjust the speed to compensate for straights and curves and to also keep a safe distance from the train in front of them. Its a very intense and busy job.

see vid here: (sorry mods for the link...just proving my point) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF1HhJM7EkM

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The headline could also read: 4 bullet train drivers prevented from falling asleep thanks to cell phones. Or, Cell phones helped prevent 3 drivers from being distracted by scenery..

There is only so much a man can take without the use of amphetamines, particularly when machines are doing dang near everything and you literally have nothing to do.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I think discipline is very important especially for Shinkansen drivers. Over the speed of 200 kmh normal people lose their sense of reality, human senses start cheating not only in driving but in every other kind of sensation and activity in the driver's cabin.

Fighting off this "stimulation" needs experience and high discipline. Distraction might last longer than momentary and misjudgment of any situation might occur easily.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

If Unnegated is correct then drivers should be frequently rotated out on short shifts and use specific learned and practised strategies to remain awake. Complacency should never become part of operating a vehicle. Cell phones should be checked in and drivers given scans (as at airports) to make sure they are not carrying any while on duty. Infractions should result in immediate demotions.

I feel as strongly about this for all drivers of all vehicles. Family cars included. Yes, there are aspects of driving that lull a person into a kind of foggy complacency; however, that's a dangerous condition. When things go wrong in that split second that they sometimes do, it is the driver who is alert who often saves lives and vehicles by proper reaction. Whether there are hundreds of passengers or one, every life counts and ought not to be lost to negligence.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

people are addicted to their mobile phones. my students are. no surprise.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Want to cause an uproar? Install one of those 3G/4G signal blockers in the driver's compartment. Voila! No cell phone use.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

When they stop at a station, there is no way for them to use the two minutes to do number one or number two.

That is why we used to buy Peals Big Mouth Cans Of Beer for our road trips from Manhattan to the Hamptons for party time in the very early seventies. No need to stop.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

"a letter of caution" Hold on, we don't want to get in a tizzy and overreact. Maybe a stern glare would be enough. They should be fired immediately given jobs cutting grass for TEPCO.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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