FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Cara Hodgson
December 31, 2009 404-848-5157
MARTA has revised the effective date of its new distraction avoidance policy to February 1, 2010, to ensure the successful implementation of what is one of the strictest such policies in the nation. Given the stringent and comprehensive nature of the policy, it’s critical that the approximately 4,500 employees who are covered by it fully understand its provisions and the consequences of noncompliance.
MARTA’s current policies governing distracted activities will remain in effect until February 1, 2010, and any violations will result in the appropriate disciplinary action.
MARTA approved its zero-tolerance distraction avoidance policy on December 10, 2009, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to ensuring the safety of customers, employees and the general public. The new policy will apply to nearly every MARTA employee – including bus, rail and Mobility van operators who carry passengers. In addition, the policy will cover employees operating “non-revenue” vehicles such as staff cars, trucks and moving equipment as well as those performing safety sensitive functions. MARTA employees operating personal vehicles while conducting Authority business are also subject to the new policy.
Distractions include, but are not limited to, the use of cell phones and other electronic devices, eating, drinking, reading, reaching for fallen items, and other activities that take attention away from driving or operating equipment. After an investigation of a distracted driving incident, MARTA employees who are found to have violated the policy will face immediate termination.
Due to the specialized training and national certification that MARTA Police officers receive, they are exempt from the electronic device provisions.
While bus and rail public transit services remain one of the safest modes of transportation, a series of high-profile mass transit accidents across the country linked to distracted driving – including several that resulted in fatalities – have underscored just how serious this threat has become to safe operations. In response, MARTA toughened its distracted driving policy based on a review of these incidents as well as recommendations made by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration (FTA).