Railroad Deaths and Injuries

Railroad deaths totaled 954 in 2024, a 1% decrease from the 2023 revised total of 967. Nonfatal injuries totaled 6,542, a 3% decrease from the 2023 revised total of 6,768. From 2023 to 2024, fatalities at highway-rail crossings increased 7%, while fatalities involving other types of incidents decreased 4%. The latter included 663 deaths (96%) attributed to trespassers. Eight employees were killed while on duty, up slightly from the 2023 total of seven. There were two train passenger deaths, up from one death in 2023.

The ratio of railroad-related deaths to nonfatal injuries and illnesses is about 1:7. In 2024, of the total 954 deaths, 27% occurred at rail-crossings. Of the 3,494 nonfatal occupational railroad injuries and illnesses reported in 2024, 76 were attributed to highway-rail crossing incidents.

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<em>Note: Fatality and injury counts do not include intentional incidents such as suicide.</em>