Railways Respond to TSB Report

Ottawa – Cliff Mackay, President and CEO of the Railway Association of Canada, said the industry is pleased with the decline in railway accidents reported today by the Transportation Safety Board. There were 11.9 accidents per million train miles last year, compared to 13 in 2005. Rail related fatalities totaled 95 in 2006, compared to 103 in 2005. Eighty-seven of those fatalities were at highway-railway crossings or in trespassing incidents over which the railways have limited control. Rail incidents in 2006 reached a 24-year low of 225, down from 243 in 2005 and down from the five-year average of 283. Mr. Mackay said the industry makes a major effort to prevent accidents through the implementation of ongoing workforce training, public education and communications, school programs, application of modern technology and new safety management systems. One program, Operation Lifesaver, marked its 25th anniversary last year and another, Direction 2006, is completing its mandate this spring. While the industry is pleased with this progress, Mr. Mackay stressed that the industry is absolutely committed to continuously improving its safety performance. Contact Information: Roger Cameron 613-564-8097 rogerc@railcan.ca