Statistics Relating to Train Accidents

Most trains go about their travels without any incident. They are responsible for transporting equipment, goods, food, and even dangerous chemicals and weapons. Trains offer a reliable mode of transportation that has been in place for decades. It is one many people don’t often think about because so much of what happens takes place behind the scenes.

Trains are made from durable steel so being involved in an accident with one can be deadly. Too many times drivers of cars don’t pay attention to the signals at the crossings or they think they can beat the train. Since a train can’t slow down and stop immediately, there is nothing that can be done to avoid the accident. The train isn’t able to move from the trains in an effort to go around the vehicle.

This type of accident can also result in the trail derailing, meaning it leaves the tracks. This can result in damages to what they are hauling and to the crew on the train. If the train is carrying dangerous materials or harmful chemicals then the risk of damages to people in the area also increases. Train accidents also occur due to errors made by the engineers, inclement weather, excessive speed, and worn out tracks.

In order to help reduce the amount of train related accidents, the FRA has been working hard to educate the public about the dangers of trains. Ironically, you can hear a train coming from a mile away when you aren’t in the area but believe it or not you may not be able to hear it if you are right by it. This is because of how sound travels. Never walk along the railroad tracks.

It is important for those in vehicles to closely monitor railroad crossings. Too many people assume that because they can’t see the train coming they have the ability to make it across. The more modern railroad crossings include gates that come down in a way that cars can’t go around them to take away this option.

Railroads have to be committed to providing save railcars to be traveling. They need to properly inspected and weight limits need to be followed. The tracks also need to be inspected on a regular basis and the necessary improvements made. This will prevent derailments which can be very dangerous and even fatal.

The FDA also looks into all train accidents to find out what could have been done in order to prevent it. They log all train accidents to look for patterns of the crew, speed, what was being hauled, and the location where the accident took place. Being able to identify patterns in such incidents in a great way to help make positive changes to prevent future train accidents from taking place.

Another reason why the FDA looks into each train related accident is to determine who is at fault. The railway company will be liable if it is determined they were at fault. However, a railway company won’t be liable if individuals failed to stop at railroad crossings that were working properly.

Hopeful as awareness of train accidents continues to increase there will be less of them. The technology that is available to help monitor train locations will also reduce the number of trains wrecking into each other, help monitor railroad crossings and keep tracks in good condition. We rely heavily on our trains to carry goods, people, and hazardous materials to various locations. It is important though that every effort is make to make that journey a safe one.