Well, the FRA says we are more safe…
U.S.Department of Transportation Office of Public Affairs Washington**,** D.C. www.dot.gov/affairs/briefing.htm News |
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34 States Have Fewer Train Accidents During First Six Months of 2007; Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Collisions and Fatalities Show Significant Declines
Contact: Steve Kulm or Warren Flatau
Telephone: 202-493-6024
Monday, September 24, 2007 (Washington, DC) Railroad safety continued to improve significantly during the first half of 2007 as 34 states experienced fewer train derailments and collisions as compared to the same period last year, Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph H. Boardman announced today.
A review of the preliminary statistics compiled by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for January through June 2007 reveals that railroads had 246 fewer train accidents, or a 16.8 percent reduction, when compared to the first six months of 2006, Boardman said. In addition, highway-rail grade crossing safety improved as collisions between motor vehicles and trains fell by 122, or 8.5 percent; and grade crossing fatalities decreased by 21, or 11.5 percent.
“We are making real progress when it comes to improving safety on the nation’s rail system,” Boardman said, noting that full-year data for 2006 showed it to be one of safest years on record. “To continue this success, railroads must step up their efforts to ensure trains, tracks, and grade crossings are even safer,” he said.
Boardman explained that the train accident rate decreased by 15.5 percent to just 3.07 per million train miles during the first half of 2007 even with a slight decline in the overall number of train miles traveled. Spec