America’s most accident-prone rail crossings

The Federal Railroad Administration released data illustrating how there are 15 crossings across the United States where at least 10 incidents occurred over the last decade.    The U.S. Transportation Department’s Federal Railroad Administration released its list of the top 15 rail crossings from around the country where the most accidents between trains and vehicles have taken place over the last decade.
   FRA tracks safety data at the nation’s more than 200,000 railroad crossings. The agency’s data shows there are 15 crossings across the United States where at least 10 incidents occurred over the last decade. “While fatalities have not occurred at all 15 crossings, the potential for injuries and loss of life could be significant due to repeated incidents,” FRA warned.
   The top two crossings with the most reported incidents were located in Phoenix (Nos. 25617C and 25425K) at 24 and 21 incidents, respectively. A crossing (No. 25422P) at Glendale, Ariz., was pegged at No. 3.  The fourth most accident-prone rail crossing is located in Ashdown, Ark. (No. 330578C), which had 16 reported incidents that included four fatalities.
   The most rail-crossing fatalities was reported at Evergreen, Ala. – No. 9 on FRA’s list – with 13 incidents of which five fatalities occurred during the past decade.
   The list’s release follows FRA Administrator Sarah E. Feinberg’s recent letter to state DOT secretaries, urging their increased cooperation to improve safety at crossings. The letter also detailed federal financial resources and FRA expertise available to states.
   “Knowing where repeat injuries and fatalities occur helps states focus their time and resources on areas where they can have an impact,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in a statement. “Preventing incidents and fatalities at railroad crossings is one of the department’s top priorities.”