Shocking video captured a San Francisco Muni train operator apparently falling asleep at the controls before colliding with another train on 31 July, shattering the windshield and jolting the driver awake. Both passengers aboard walked away unharmed, but the crash has intensified concerns over fatigue among transit workers, with officials confirming the initial cause was operator error linked to tiredness rather than any mechanical or infrastructure fault.

The collision, involving two L Taraval trains, occurred around 8.30am near 47th Avenue and Wawona Street. Unlike underground Muni Metro sections, which use automated speed control, surface routes like this one rely entirely on manual driving, leaving no automated safeguard if an operator loses focus. This marks the second such fatigue-related incident in under a year, following a similar case in September 2024, and data shows 91% of transit operators worked overtime in 2024 despite rules capping consecutive shifts at 12 hours with mandatory eight-hour rest periods.