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Last year, reported railroad accidents in Canada totaled 1,246, a 9 percent increase compared with 2004 and 18 percent rise compared with the 2000-2004 average, according to preliminary Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) data. Rail activity increased 3 percent compared with 2004 and 6 percent compared with the five-year average.

The 2005 accident rate rose to 13.0 accidents per million train-miles compared with 2004’s 12.3 and the five-year period’s average 11.7 rate. Rail-related fatalities totaled 103 compared with 101 in 2004 and the five-year average of 93.

However, 2005 rail incidents reported in accordance with TSB requirements reached a 23-year low of 244 compared with 252 in 2004 and the five-year average of 300.