2013 Shows Increase in Train Accident Deaths

Deaths from trespassing increased by 11%, while deaths from accidents rose almost 8%.

Railroad safety is an area of great concern, but this becomes even more essential when one looks at an increase in the numbers of railroad accident deaths. When deaths increase, it’s an issue the industry as a whole must review in order to assess the best ways to make improvements.

Current Statistics

The railroad industry has launched a new campaign in order to raise awareness to the dangers of anyone standing or sitting near train tracks. This campaign is the result of a substantial increase in train accident and railroad deaths in 2013.

At this time last year, the railroads were proud of their 2012 record, which they called their safest year ever because both derailments and accidents at railroad crossing continued to decline. Unfortunately, last year the numbers of deaths from trespassing increased by eleven percent to 476, while deaths from accidents rose almost eight percent to 250.

Possible Causes

We expect the rates to vary from year to year, but there are no firm answers, only theories to explain the increase that occurred in 2013. However, this increase caused federal regulators to work on a public campaign in an attempt to reduce those accidents. Ads (that are in the process of being released) show how people and motor vehicles do not stand a chance when coming into contact with a train.

The CEO of Operation Lifesaver, Joyce Rose, states it is important to educate people about the dangers they face on the rails. Operation Lifesaver is a nonprofit whose sole purpose is to make people aware of the dangers they face on when it comes to railroad accidents.

Focus of the Campaign

In spite of the difficulty involved in determining the cause of the increase in 2013, Rose believes there may be a connection between the increase and the use of smartphones and other electronic devices. The primary television commercial of this new campaign depicts a young male walking along the railroad tracks wearing headphones. This distraction prevents him from realizing a train is coming.

A 24-year-old man who lost parts of both legs in a collision with a train is in full support of the message. His accident occurred in October 2012 when he tried to walk around a stopped train on his way back to his Columbus, Ohio, apartment after he had been out with friends. The train began to move, and his shirt got caught. He climbed aboard the train in an effort to free his shirt and fell under the train. The campaign is also supported by the Association of American Railroads trade group, the Federal Railroad Administration, and major railroads.

In spite of the increase in deaths in 2013, regulators indicate that overall, railroad safety has improved significantly in the past ten years. Just as an example, the number of deaths from trespassing increased about three percent between 2004 and 2013.

Comments from Railroad Experts

According to the Federal Railroad Administration, the variance in the number of injuries and deaths from trespassing is based on several different factors. This may include factors such as construction that is occurring near train tracks or an increase in pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

A Kansas City Southern railroad engineer is hoping this new campaign will assist people in making better decisions when they approach railroad crossing or are around train tracks. The accidents that occur even affect railroad employees, especially when there is death involved. This 58-year-old railroad engineer states he has personally had close calls with police officers who ignore train crossing signals.

For more information on train accidents, visit https://www.jrlawfirm.com/practice-areas/car-accidents/train-accidents/.

Tags: Auto Accidents

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