GATINEAU, Quebec — Rail accidents increased in Canada in 2021, while still remaining below the five-year average for such incidents, according to preliminary statistics released Monday by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.
Air transportation and pipelines also saw increases, while marine accidents decreased.
The TSB suggested in a press release that the increases likely reflected an easing of COVID-19 restrictions, which led to fewer pandemic-related service reductions.
In all, there were 1,038 rail accidents in 2021, compared to 988 in 2020. The five-year average is 1,079 accidents. Those accidents included 60 rail-related fatalities, the same number as in 2020 and below the five-year average of 66. The 2021 fatalities included 42 involving trespassers, equaling the five-year average and increasingly slightly from the 40 in 2020.
Incidents involved dangerous goods (hazardous materials) increased from 82 to 85, but were well below the five-year average of 119. Just two accidents in 2021 resulted in the release of dangerous goods. There were also 34 accidents involving an controlled movement and 13 catagorized as “uncontrolled movement of rolling stock,” compared to 30 and 19 in 2020.
The TSB will release its final 2021 statistical report and analysis this spring.
