Bad Amtrak wreck in Philadelpha

[Philip H]

I totally get that, I work security, and you can, and will get distracted by radio chatter, especially during an event like an emergency.
Same goes if you have a scanner and their is a lot of activity on PDs side... You will get distracted...
And the general population wont understand his situation as they have never been put in that or a similar situation where they have alot of activity on their primary source for communication.... Unless they are one of those texting while driving types... 

Or you run boats for a living . . . Marine VHF can be . . . colorful . . . at times.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

This is EXACTLY why two man crews are important.

[Missaberoad]

This is EXACTLY why two man crews are important.

This!

The CROR Rules in Canada require that the first crew member to identify a fixed signal call it out in a clear and audible manor and all other crew members repeat it back. I imagine the eastern US has the exact same rule, but it is impossible to comply with when you are alone...

It also puts responsibility on the Conductor to ensure that the engineer complies with said restriction.

Having that second set of eyes/ears would prevent tragedies like this...

With so many accidents in recent years caused by the negligence of single man crews, this seems like such a simple solution that could save lives...