Recent recommendations by the National Transportation Safety Board have been directed at motor vehicle drivers across the country. They suggested that all states ban all cell phone use while driving to cut down on car accidents. Last week, the NTSB focused their recommendations on the Federal Railroad Administration in the hopes of reducing the number of tragic train accidents.

In 2011, there were five rear-end collisions involving trains across the country. The accidents occurred on different railroads and for different reasons, which encouraged the NTSB to draw attention to any dangerous operating behaviors that may be widespread.

According to the NTSB, crew members were operating the trains at speeds above those allowed by posted signage. They focus on the fact that signal systems are intended to provide a safe amount of separation between trains which are traveling on the same track. When a train is traveling faster than what is allowed, these signals may not be accurate.

They are also recommending that the railroads should circulate information regarding accidents to all employees in order to reiterate the need for safely operating a train.

When a train is in an accident or is involved in a major derailment there is a risk of catastrophic danger. Besides personal injuries that may occur, a train accident could also cause the cars to spill materials over a wide area. When trains are carrying toxic or dangerous materials that spill, the threat of explosions and property damage can be frightening.

The recommendations from the NTSB are still considered to be suggestions to the railroad industry. They do reinforce that compliance with speed restrictions and safety precautions are absolutely mandatory to prevent train accidents and derailments.

Source: Progressive Railroading, "NTSB issues safety recommendations to address rear-end train collision concerns," Jan. 16, 2012