According to the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) report, total accidents/incidents in January-November 2012 declined 7.3% to 9,741 compared to the same time period in 2011. In their ten year overview total accidents/incidents show a decline of 25.7% since 2003 when the total was 13,108.
The FRA reported train accidents fell 16.5% to 1,545 compared to 2011. Derailments accounted for 1,136, down 14.7% and collisions declined 5.9% to 143. There were 883 yard accidents, down 3.5%. Highway/rail grade crossing fatalities dropped 7.6% to 214. However, the number of trespassing fatalities increased 10.6% to 417.
For more details and charts please refer to the Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety Analysis.