METRO Fires Employee Under New Rule

HOUSTON - One METRO employee has already been fired under a brand new policy banning cell phones on mass transit vehicles.

The rule went into effect about a month ago, prohibiting the mere possession of a cell phone by any transit agency worker on a bus or train.

The new regulation is intended to protect the safety of riders like Brenda Edwards, but she thinks it's overkill.

"That's very strict. But if that's the way METRO wants it, who am I to say?"

Edwards said she has never seen a METRO driver talking on a cell phone while operating a bus.

But nobody disputes that combination could be deadly.

Last year in California, a passenger train crashed while the operator was sending and receiving text messages. Twenty five people were killed.

Now, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is planning a summit on distracted driving, next month in Washington, DC.

"If it were up to me," said LaHood, "I would ban drivers from texting immediately."

Texas just passed a law banning the use of cell phone handsets in active school zones. The law takes effect September 1.

It may sound like a step forward for safety, but for West University Place, it's actually a step backward.

Last year, West U. banned even hands-free phone use in school zones and police issued 17 tickets during the school year.

Now, the municipality must roll back its ordinance to match the new, less-stringent state law.

"As far as I'm concerned," said West University Police Lt. Charlie Deily, "if you're using it hands-free or if you're using it with your hands on, it's still a problem and it's still a safety issue."

Texas is not among the six states (plus the District of Columbia) which have total bans on the use of handsets by drivers.

-- Cell Phone Laws in All 50 States