July 6, 2005
Train driver fired for thumbing phone on duty
A Japanese train driver was fired last month for repeatedly exchanging e-mails on his cell phone while driving trains, reports Mainichi Daily News.
The East Japan Railway (JR East) learned of the case only about one week after the derailment that occurred in Hyogo Prefecture and left 107 people dead.
A passenger on a train spotted the driver using his mobile phone shortly before the train arrived at Torami Station in Ichinomiya, Chiba Prefecture, on May 2, and alerted JR East's Chiba branch four days later.
The driver admitted to having exchanged e-mails on his phone while at the controls of his train.
"I used my mobile phone to send an e-mail to a tennis friend (on May 2). I have been frequently exchanging e-mails on my mobile phone over the past year," he was quoted as telling his bosses.
The company immediately suspended the driver from train operating duty and fired him on June 7.
JR East's rules require train drivers to place their mobile phones in their bags with the power switched off while driving trains.
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