Crossing, trespassing fatalities up slightly
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefA preliminary count by the Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety Analysis shows that U.S. railroads reported 290 rail-related fatalities in the January-May period of 2011. Fatalities at highway-rail grade crossings totaled 110, vs. 104 in the 2010 period, an increase of 5.8%. Trespassing fatalities were essentially flat—167 in this year’s first five months vs. 166 in the corresponding 2010 period.
Total accidents/incidents reported by 730 large and small railroads added up to 4,273 in January-May this year, down 5.9% from last year’s ago 4,675.
The number of collisions increased 20.4% to 65; derailments were up 7.7% to 587; and yard accidents declined 1.8% to 427.
The number of employee fatalities increased to nine in January-May this year, compared with seven in the 2010 period.
