Railroad Safety Statistics
When Operation Lifesaver began in 1972 there were over 12,000 collisions per year between trains, cars and people, or one every 45 minutes. Due to a safety coalition addressing the three E’s enforcement of traffic laws, engineering improvements and safety education we’ve reduced this by over 80%.
Nationwide Train Safety Stats for 2021
2,147 total highway-rail grade crossing collisions
238 fatalities occurred due to highway-rail grade crossing collisions
666 additional injuries occurred due to highway-rail grade crossing collisions
Trespassing on railroad property resulted in 614 fatalities and 526 additional injuries
New York State Train Safety Stats for 2021
27 highway-rail grade crossing collisions, down from 25 in 2020
3 fatalities occurred due to highway-rail grade crossing collisions, up from one in 2020
9 additional injuries occurred due to highway-rail grade crossing collisions
Trespassing on railroad property resulted in 23 fatalities and 25 additional injuries
Historical trends
US Trespassing on railroad property
From 2017 through 2022: Trespassing resulted in 2,672 lost lives and 2,615 other injuries
From 2012 through 2016: Trespassing resulted in 2,219 lost lives and 2,156 other injuries
US Railroad Crossing Collisions
From 2017 through 2022: 10,652 collisions claimed 1,253 lives, with 3,890 additional injuries
From 2012 through 2016: 10,518 collisions claimed 1,217 lives, with 4,719 additional injuries
US Statistical Comparisons 2020 to 2000
Railroad Crossing Collision:
There were 3,502 Highway Rail Collisions in 2000
There were 1,902 Highway Rail Collisions in 2020 – a 45% reduction compared to 2000
Trespassing on Railroad Property
In the US there were 441 fatalities and 390 injuries from trespassing on railroad property in 2010
In the US there were 518 fatalities and 561 injuries from trespassing on railroad property in 2020, a 30% increase since 2010
New York State Department of Transportation Rail Safety Information
Safety statistics for your state
Further safety statistics and information at the Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety Analysis
Federal Railroad Administration Grade Crossing Dash Map for Grade Crossing Collisions
Federal Railroad Administration Trespass and Suicide Dashboard