NC OL Statistics

In 2020, 13 people lost their lives in railroad incidents in North Carolina; 12 while walking on railroad tracks (trespassing), and one in highway-rail incidents (where a vehicle and train interact). A comparison of 2019 vs. 2020 statistics from the Federal Railroad Administration is shown below.

The Covid-19 pandemic affected everything, including rail safety. For 2020, North Carolina ranks 12th in the nation in the number of trespassing fatalities. NC had a 31% decrease in trespassing incidents, due largely to a significant decrease in rail traffic during the Covid-19 pandemic. In other words, citizens were more than likely still trespassing on tracks, but fewer trains were running to cause strikes. The same statistic holds true for highway-rail incidents - from 2019 to 2020, incidents were reduced by 77%, fatalities by 80%, and injuries by 100%. NC is ranked 13th in the number of highway-rail incidents.

All railroad tracks in NC are private property, trespassing on them is a Class 3 Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $350.00.