Trains have long been a beloved part of American history. Since their inception, they have been an integral part of the US economy and few people are unmoved by the whistle and chug of these giant. Iron beasts. But while train watching, train museums and train memorabilia collecting remain popular pastimes, trains are much more than endearing symbols of the past. Even though few people still travel by trains in the US, they are still commonly used for the fast and cheap transfer of goods. Trains are not as plentiful as they once were, but there are certainly still enough of them pose the same dangers that they did in days gone by.
The Federal Railroad Administration states that around 3,000 train accidents occur each year in the United States. These accidents result in nearly 1,000 fatalities. The majority of these deaths occur when a train collides with another train, a car or bus, a train derailment or a pedestrian on the tracks. These accidents are the result of:
• Various mechanical or electrical failures within the train itself
• Maintenance issues such as structural defects, old and broken tracks, defective, broken or obstructed railway crossing signals or objects or debris blocking the train’s pathway.
• Human error such as signal and communication issues, driver fatigue and inexperience.
• Irresponsible and hurried drivers and pedestrians who do not follow proper track crossing safety procedures.
Commuter Trains
Every year more and more cities introduce commuter trains to help alleviate traffic congestion in highly populated cities. These trains run on preexisting track which may or may not have been in use for cargo transportation prior to the addition of the commuter trains. This is a cost-effective solution to many cities’ public transit woes. But while commuter rails provide a great benefit to the communities they serve, they also pose new threats to drivers and pedestrians. Commuter rail riders should be vigilant as they walk to the rail stop and while waiting for the train. If children are riding a commuter train, they should always be accompanied by a responsible adult. The adult watching the children should make sure they are always at arms length and far away from the tracks. The commuter rails pose a greater risk than light rails as they are trains and travel at extreme speeds and have a much longer required stopping distance.
For more information on train accidents and safety, contact Phoenix area lawyersÂ
Joseph Devine
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