Crossing, trespasser deaths up in first-half 2010
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefRail-highway grade crossing fatalities in this year’s first six months increased 13.6% to 125 compared with the same period last year. Trespasser fatalities were up 20.1% to 227.
These relatively steep increases—in two areas beyond the direct control of railroads—pushed the Federal Railroad Administration’s official tally of railroad fatalities in this year’s first half up 18.5% to 371% compared with last year’s first half.
First-half train accidents caused six fatalities vs. one last year, and employee fatalities totaled 11 compared with 10 last year.
With 747 railroads reporting, the latest safety numbers compiled by the FRA’s Office of Safety Analysis, released Sept. 30, showed a total of 5,488 accidents/incidents in this year’s first six months, up less than 1% from last year.
Collisions were down 6.1% to 62, derailments dropped 1.8% to 642, and yard accidents dropped 0.6% to 492.
