NTSB: Culture of driving with phones must change
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Federal transportation officials investigating a deadly Philadelphia tour-boat crash say cell phone distractions are causing too many accidents on the nation’s roads, rails and waterways.
The National Transportation Safety Board is holding a public meeting in Washington, D.C., today to discuss a crash between a duck boat and a barge that killed two Hungarian students.
Chairwoman Deborah Hersman says safety officials have to change a mindset where vehicle operators are constantly talking, texting and browsing the Internet.
The NTSB found the mate piloting the barge was on his cell phone dealing with a family emergency at the same time the duck boat was stalled in the Delaware River.
The July 7 crash also sent 35 others aboard the duck boat into the busy shipping channel.