The government data I am able to find does not seem to support the idea that there is a massive (or any) increase in derailments. And this letter never provides any data supporting the premise either.
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, there were 1,056 train derailments (both cargo and passenger) in the US in 2021. This was the lowest number in the dataset going back to 1975.
Ten years ago, it was 1,470 derailments. In the year 2000, it was over 2,000 derailments.
In reality, the data suggest we are on a strong downward trend in derailments per year.
Is this government data wrong? Or is this writer trying out a career in fiction?
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, there were 1,056 train derailments (both cargo and passenger) in the US in 2021. This was the lowest number in the dataset going back to 1975.
Ten years ago, it was 1,470 derailments. In the year 2000, it was over 2,000 derailments.
In reality, the data suggest we are on a strong downward trend in derailments per year.
Is this government data wrong? Or is this writer trying out a career in fiction?
Data: https://www.bts.gov/content/train-fatalities-injuries-and-ac...