Railway accidents in Canada shoot up by 7% last year. Credit: Eja2k.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has released a preliminary compilation of transportation occurrence statistics, which stated that rail accidents in the country increased by 7% last year.

According to TSB data, 1170 railway accidents were reported in 2018, a jump of 7% over 2017 data and a 13% increase compared to the five-year average of 1035.

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Majority of the increase was related to non-main-track derailments involving five or fewer cars.

The number of rail-related fatalities stood at 57 last year, which is 19 less than in 2017 and 17 less than the five-year average figure of 74.

“Rail-related fatalities stood at 57 last year, which is 19 less than in 2017 and 17 less than the five-year average figure of 74.”

The 2018 fatalities data included 34 trespassers and 19 crossing accident fatalities.

TSB also stated that the number of serious injuries due to crossing accidents went up from 22 in 2017 to 42 in the last year.

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The agency added that it will further assess the crossing incidents to identify the causes of the rise.

Of the total 1170 railway accidents last year, 125 involved dangerous goods. The figure increased from 2017 figures of 115, but less compared to the five-year average of 126.

Furthermore, there were 44 accidents due to uncontrolled movement and 15 uncontrolled movement of rolling stock incidents last year. In 2017, the figures were 48 and 14, respectively.

Along with rail transportation occurrence data, TSB also released preliminary statistics of air transportation and marine transportation.

The findings were released following an initial review of the TSB’s preliminary report of occurrence statistics for 2018.

Later this year, TSB will release its complete and final statistical report including a detailed analysis of the data.