The Metro-North Tragedy: Why Federal Regulations Should Be Followed
On February 3, 2015, the deadliest crash in the history of the Metro-North system occurred between the train and an SUV. According to several news articles, the SUV stopped on the tracks when the railroad crossing gate came down. The vehicle’s driver stepped out of the car to inspect the back end, got back in, and was beginning to drive forward when the train collided with her car at 58 miles per hour.
The collision resulted in six fatalities, one of them being the SUV driver. Several others on the train sustained serious injuries and required medical care. A fireball erupted because of the impact of the collision, contributing to the seriousness of the accident. This deadly incident can teach us a great deal about the importance of federal safety regulations.