GATINEAU, Quebec — Canada’s reportable rail accidents and other occurrences were down slightly in 2024, according to the Transportation Safety Board’s final 2024 statistics.
The final count of 1,198 occurrences — including 896 accidents and 302 incidents — was down 3% from 2023. Accidents which includes events with fatalties, those in which rolling stock is involved in a collision, fire or explosion, or otherwise damages track or rolling stock in a manner that affects safe operation. Incidents include situations where risk of more serious events occur, such as passing a stop signal or a switch left in an incorrect position.
The accident count was down 2% from 2023 and a 12% decrease from the 10-year average. That included 69 rail-related fatalities, up from 67 in 2023 and from the 10-year average of 52. The fatalities include 56 involving trespassers and 12 at grade crossings. There were also 68 serious injuries, including 24 in crossing incidents. Also included in that total were 87 involving dangerous goods, equaling the number from 2023 and below the 10-year average of 115.
The year included 43 occurrences of uncontrolled movements of rolling stock — 31 accidents and 12 incidents — up from 37 in 2023.
The full report, including detailed breakdowns of the types of occurrences, is available here.
The TSB also released statistics on air, marine, and pipeline incidents. The overview of all incidents, as well as links to detailed statistics for each of those modes of transportation, are available here.
