Experts Say Trains Are Becoming Less Safe: 'Disasters Like East Palestine Will Be More And More Prevalent'

INDIANAPOLIS — The Feb. 3 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, has left the small community devastated and questions about the environmental and public health impact remain unanswered. It also spurred calls for action to hold the freight rail industry accountable and steps to prevent such a disaster from happening again.  

In response to the National Transportation Safety Board’s initial report on the East Palestine derailment, president and CEO of the Association of American Railroads Ian Jefferies promised that the rail industry would use the report to prevent similar accidents. 

“We share a singular mission of taking meaningful steps to further improve safety," Jefferies said in a statement on Feb. 23.