The number one cause of train derailments is track defects, with broken rails and welds being the most frequent culprits, responsible for over 15% of incidents, followed by equipment failures (like wheel/bearing issues) and human errors (speeding, signaling mistakes). While equipment and human factors contribute significantly, especially at different speeds, poor track maintenance remains the leading underlying issue, causing instability and catastrophic derailments.
Broken rails are a leading cause of derailments. According to data from the Federal Railroad Administration, broken rails and welds are the most common reason for train derailments, making up more than 15 percent of derailment cases.
Causes of Train Accidents
Cracks, misaligned rails, and worn-out ties create instability, leading to accidents. Over time, tracks are subjected to immense pressure from heavy trains, causing them to weaken. Impact on Safety: Poorly maintained tracks can cause trains to derail, especially at high speeds.
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The vast majority of train derailments happen in rail yards.
According to Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) data, for all of 2024, there were 793 Class I railroad train derailments. About 74% occurred in rail yards and 26% on the mainline tracks.
Distracted driving is the most common cause of motor vehicle accidents in the United States.
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“Derailments are uncommon events, fortunately,” says study co-author Peter Madsen, a Brigham Young University professor of organizational behavior. During the decade-long study period, he notes, there were about 300 derailments per year on mainline U.S. railway tracks.
Most of the time, derailments happen when the tracks deform or the train takes a curve too fast. Usually, it's the rear wheels that slip off first. When that happens, workers place two yellow metal devices right at the derail point to guide the wheels back onto the rails. These are called rerailers.
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Recent train derailments have occurred due to poor track maintenance, overcrowding, operational errors, outdated signalling systems, weather etc.
What Are the Leading Causes of Accidents?
Truck driver Christiaan Scholl was acquitted of all criminal charges, including culpable driving, related to the 2007 Kerang train crash that killed 11 people, despite facing charges for the collision at the railway crossing; he expressed remorse and apologized to victims' families, though some victims planned civil action, and the tragedy led to significant infrastructure upgrades at level crossings.
One way to prevent train derailments is making sure train wheels and bearings (the component that keeps wheels turning smoothly) don't overheat. Railroads do this by installing sensors along their tracks that assess the strength and health of wheels and bearings passing over them.
Airplane travel is the safest form of transportation, with an average annual injury rate of just 0.01 injuries per 100 million passenger miles traveled.
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And the answer depends on how safety is measured. If you look at fatalities per billion miles traveled, airplanes are clearly safer. If you look at fatalities per trip, trains are almost six times safer! But what is clear is that both modes of transportation are extremely safe compared to buses and cars.
Another mechanism for ground movements endangering railway operation is where many smaller rocks are put into movement (known as a debris flow), ending up with them being deposited onto the track bed. A surprisingly small debris flow can cause a train derailment.
While not an everyday occurrence for most people, train derailments are far more common than many realize. In the United States of America, an average of 1,300 trains derail each year—equating to roughly three and a half derailments per day. Data shows that these derailments account for 61% of all train accidents.
1. Distracted Driving. Distracted driving, which includes texting, eating, or adjusting your GPS, is the leading cause of accidents nationwide. In one recent year, an estimated 3,308 fatalities and over 289,000 injuries were attributed to distracted driving.
IIHS 2025 Top Safety Pick+ 1
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In the United States, the most common cause of car crash deaths is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Other common causes include distracted driving, such as using a cellphone while driving, speeding, reckless driving, and not wearing a seatbelt.
Per mile travelled, rural roads are the most dangerous roads for all kinds of road user. In this factsheet we will cover: Why rural roads are dangerous for all road users.
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