WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- New federal regulations are aimed at reducing train accidents and derailments, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Wednesday.
The Federal Railroad Administration has crafted a National Rail Safety Action Plan to help curb train accidents. The rules are designed to hold railroad employees accountable, said U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters.
"We are tackling several commonplace errors that can lead to serious train accidents," Peters said in a statement.
Such errors as improperly lined track switches and leaving rail cars in a position that obstruct an active track may now result in a violation of federal rail safety regulations.
"We want everyone to know how to do their jobs safely every time, every day, no matter what task they are performing," said FRA Administrator Joseph Boardman.
The Federal Railroad Administration said safety violations may result in fines ranging from $7,500 to $16,000.
Part of the impetus for the new rules was the January 2005 rail accident in Graniteville, S.C., that killed nine people after a train was diverted off a mainline track because of an improperly lined switch.
