MBTA Drivers Getting Safer

Posted by Jim Folk, MBTA Director of Operations and Planning

There is positive news to report again this year about the safety record of MBTA bus drivers.  The safety record improved again in 2009, as it had in 2008, with the total number of accidents declining in both years.  By the most meaningful statistic, (the number of preventable accidents per number of miles traveled), the MBTA averaged 1.3 accidents for every one hundred thousand miles in 2009 – a drop of more than 25% compared to 1.8 in 2007. 

 An accident is called “preventable” if it could have been averted by actions by the bus driver; in the vast majority (83%) of accidents last year involving MBTA buses the bus driver was not at fault and could not have prevented the accident.  In other words, a car driver is four times more likely to make an error leading to an accident with a bus than a bus driver is likely to make an error leading to an accident with a car.  The MBTA’s accident rate is the equivalent of a car driver going an average of six years between accidents – while managing 40-to-60-foot-long vehicles, constantly pulling into and out of stops, operating on congested streets, and taking care of customers inside the bus. 

The MBTA performs routine safety audits of routes and stops to find and address potential safety hazards, and rides buses to covertly observe operators that have been reported as operating in a manner not consistent with MBTA safety rules and regulations.  The MBTA is always looking for ways to improve safety.  Some steps taken recently include a new operator recertification program, a new “bus simulator” simulated driving environment to improve training, and a zero-tolerance policy on possession of cell phones and electronic devices.   Learn more about MBTA's commitment to safety.

Comments

[Danimal]

I hop on my bike, start pedaling to return from lunch and... BAM yet another MBTA bus runs a red light. I'm getting sick of this. I'm seeing this behavior on a daily basis. This is unacceptable.

[John Wagner]

While I'm happy to see that the MBTA's accident rate has decreased, I imagine that your report is unable to account for the "near misses". People generally avoid the largest vehicles on the road, you know, since they're can squash you effortlessly.
A problem that I frequently encounter as a commuting cyclist (and witness as a bus rider) is when MBTA operators speed ahead of cyclists in bike lanes, and then veer into their bus stops. This is dangerous driving. It's my hope that the MBTA takes notice of the increased presence of cyclists on the streets, and that T trains its drivers wait for cyclists to pass a stop before the driver pulls in.

[Danimal]

On a more positive note...

For the safety efforts you do put forth we are appreciative. And I sincerely hope there will be more of it in the future. If safety is your concern, then I look forward to working together with you. A simple "How's my driving" stickers on the back of each bus would help immensely in bringing accountability to your drivers.

[Danimal]

These statistics are about getting caught, not about being dangerous.

Run red lights, near misses, break jobs, and fast and erratic driving are not included within your dataset. Each of these (preventable) crimes causes a ripple effect that impacts the overall safety of the road, increasing the likeliness that other vehicles get into accidents. The amount of road/sidewalk rage generated alone is enough for me to discount these statistics as anything more than a shoddy attempt at maintaining good PR. Basically what I'm reading here is that you feel that everything is well and good as long as you don't get caught. This does not make me feel safe.

If you have nothing to hide, make video footage taken from within the bus available for public review.

Please stop insulting the public with this drivel. Only action will appease us.

PS.
After reading this, I honestly feel worse about the MBTA. I almost wish I hadn't read it.

[Kevin O'Connell]

I think you ought to follow the 83 bus. I cant tell you how many red lights they run on Mass Ave, Rindge Ave and at Alewife. Not to mention right turns on Rindge from the marked left only lane - can't tell you how many time i have had to scramble to get out of the way. And they look back at me, like i was the one doing something illegal?

We need to do a little better with the T PR tour here on the Globe. Maybe keep the customer service/comment lines open past 5pm when most of this happens?