In the United States, the number of rail fatalities in 2020 decreased to 767 in total. By comparison, the number of rail accidents and injuries saw a decline between 2019 and 2020 and was overall at its lowest in 2020 since 2013.
Fatalities through modes of transport
Generally, over the past few years, rail fatalities have constituted a small proportion of the overall fatalities occurring from transportation; highway fatalities surpassed rail fatalities by far back in 2017. Car accidents represent the leading cause of death for young adults between the ages of 20 and 24 in the U.S., with over 5,000 reported fatal crashes within this age group in 2018.
Rail safety in the U.S.
Following the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, positive train control (PTC) technology is currently being installed nationwide across the rail network, with the deadline now pushed back to December 31, 2020. To date, PTC was fully implemented and in operation on Class I railroads. This PTC system sets out to prevent rail collisions, derailments due to excessive speed, and accidents caused by track switch errors. This Safety Act also regulates working hours for railroad workers, certifications held by certain members of the railroad workforce, and other safety measures.
Fatalities in U.S. railroad accidents from 2005 to 2020
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US Department of Transportation (Federal Railroad Administration). (April 30, 2021). Fatalities in U.S. railroad accidents from 2005 to 2020 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 30, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/428213/number-of-fatalities-in-rail-accidents-in-the-united-states/
US Department of Transportation (Federal Railroad Administration). "Fatalities in U.S. railroad accidents from 2005 to 2020." Chart. April 30, 2021. Statista. Accessed December 30, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/428213/number-of-fatalities-in-rail-accidents-in-the-united-states/
US Department of Transportation (Federal Railroad Administration). (2021). Fatalities in U.S. railroad accidents from 2005 to 2020. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 30, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/428213/number-of-fatalities-in-rail-accidents-in-the-united-states/
US Department of Transportation (Federal Railroad Administration). "Fatalities in U.S. Railroad Accidents from 2005 to 2020." Statista, Statista Inc., 30 Apr 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/428213/number-of-fatalities-in-rail-accidents-in-the-united-states/
US Department of Transportation (Federal Railroad Administration), Fatalities in U.S. railroad accidents from 2005 to 2020 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/428213/number-of-fatalities-in-rail-accidents-in-the-united-states/ (last visited December 30, 2024)
Fatalities in U.S. railroad accidents from 2005 to 2020 [Graph], US Department of Transportation (Federal Railroad Administration), April 30, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/428213/number-of-fatalities-in-rail-accidents-in-the-united-states/
