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RTA Says Chicago Transit Authority Should Do More to Prevent Train Accidents

The Regional Transportation Authority is reporting that Chicago Transit Authority trains are safe to ride but that the CTA is not doing enough to identify and take immediate action to fix hazardous conditions that could lead to railroad accidents. The RTA had commissioned an on-site safety inspection of the Chicago train system.

Reviews findings included:

? There were 5 train crashes and 13 train derailments that happened in CTA rail yards over a 7 ½ month period in 2007.

? The CTA does not hold enough emergency-response drills.

? Train operators did not physically check to see that all doors were shut and all passengers were safely in and out of the train.

? Some train stations did not have emergency phone lines or adequate lighting.

? A significant amount of debris was noted on railroad tracks.

? Certain train tracks had defects, including rotten wood ties and loose rail spikes.

The RTA is giving the CTA another opportunity to improve these safety issues and will conduct another evaluation this summer.

Common Causes of Train Accidents:

? Driver fatigue, inexperience, or negligence
? Track or train defects
? Faulty maintenance
? Mechanical failures
? Electrical malfunctions

Train crash cases are not like other injury accidents, and it is important that you work with an Illinois railroad crash law firm that knows how to pursue your recovery if you are injured.

CTA's rail safety criticized, Chicago Tribune, June 29, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Chicago Transit Authority

Regional Transportation Authority

Full post as published by Chicago Injury Attorney Blog on July 23, 2008 (boomark / email).