Tallinn Tram Kills Pedestrian; Driver Was Using Phone
A pedestrian was killed when struck by a Tallinn tram whose driver was watching a video on her phone. The driver received a suspended prison sentence and must pay costs.
A man died after being hit by a tram in Tallinn; the driver was using her smartphone at the time. According to Õhtuleht, the driver, 65-year-old Larissa, entered a plea deal and received a two-year suspended prison sentence in late May. She must also pay around €3,400 in costs. The accident occurred on March 21, 2025, at about 8:30 p.m. on Peterburi Road.
Cabin security footage shows that Larissa had a video playing on her phone, which was mounted on the dashboard. She failed to notice a man on the tracks and struck him, killing him instantly.
Rasmus Saks, head of transport operations at Tallinn City Transport (TLT), expressed sadness over the fatality and said drivers had been reminded of safety procedures, including refraining from using phones while driving. He added that TLT is doing everything possible to avoid a recurrence.
A witness who was first on the scene noted that the victim wore dark clothes and no reflector, and the area was poorly lit. However, the cabin footage shows Larissa initially trying to hide her phone before calling dispatchers. During the investigation and trial, she said she had no memory of the incident but expressed sincere remorse.
