On January 26, 2011, a TTC passenger caught a TTC driver on the bus route 165 Weston Road North, texting while he was driving a full bus. Going 50km/h, it is said he was texting on what seemed to be “a blackberry like” device.

Mike Schmitz, the passenger says that the driver was more focused on his phone and not on the road. The passenger seeing this took a picture with his own phone of the driver texting. Schmitz says, “He wasn’t even paying attention to the road” because he was so in tuned with his phone. The TTC is investigating the case and assures the public that the driver will be disciplined.

The TTC has a clear and strict policy concerning texting while operating a vehicle. The TTC forbids the use of cell phones of any kind while the bus driver is operating a vehicle.

Not only is this a safety hazard but texting while driving is illegal in Ontario. The no texting while driving law was introduced in October 2009.

A driver can be fined up to five hundred dollars for such an act.

But is this fine merely enough for those who are in charge of so many lives?

Does a fine justify such an act when so many people’s lives are put in danger?

You be the judge.