The Daily Targum reported that NJ Transit is making moves to reduce the number of train fatalities in the state. Some may be wondering whether or not there is a real need. How many people are dying due to train accidents in New Jersey?
Well, injuries and fatalities resulting from a train accident are more common than you think. According to the Federal Railroad Administration there were 527 incidents in New Jersey involving injury or death due to a train accident in 2010—24 of which were fatalities.
There were two key accidents back in October that sparked the formation of the Safety Along Railroads Leadership Oversight Committee. The accidents occurred on October 2 and 3 in Wayne and Garfield respectively. These two accidents resulted in the death of three teenagers and left a fourth teen injured.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation commissioner, James Simpson spoke about the new safety measures in a press release earlier this week. He explained that, “Nothing at NJDOT or N.J. Transit matches the importance of safeguarding the lives of those who use New Jersey’s extensive, multi-modal transportation system… We dedicate the efforts that will spring from this safety initiative to all who have endured tragedy along our railroads and to all who we will protect in the future”
Their main focus will be engineering, education, and enforcement according to the news report. According to the Targum, to improve safety from an engineering standpoint they will investigate the effectiveness of, “the effectiveness of gate skirts and ‘second train coming’ warning signs.”
It was reported that the accident in Garfield involved two trains traveling one after another. It is speculated that the teens involved thought after the first train passed; it was okay to pass under the barrier without realizing that there was a second train coming. The new ‘second train warning’ would have a separate second alert when there is a train approaching following the first train’s passing.
The NJDOT release explained that they are recommending 12 items that they consider high-priority and they hope to have them completed or initiated inside a year.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a train accident, contact the NJ injury lawyers at Console & Hollawell. We will guide you through the difficult process of determining who is at fault for your injury and make sure you are compensated. Call us today at (866) 778-5500 to set up your free consultation.
