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3/4/2026
Freight railroads logged their safest year on record in 2025 according to newly released data from the Federal Railroad Administration, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) announced today.
Train accidents declined 14% last year compared to 2024, while derailments, equipment-caused accidents and track-caused accidents each fell to their lowest levels, AAR officials in a press release.
Human factor-related accidents declined nearly 20%, reflecting progress driven in part by expanded deployment of automation, advanced monitoring systems and data-informed operating practices that reduce risk to frontline employees, they added.
"Rail safety progress is not accidental — it is the result of disciplined investment, a highly skilled and professional railroad workforce, data-driven decision-making," said AAR President and CEO Ian Jefferies. "That same approach strengthens supply chain resilience and helps keep goods affordable for American families and businesses. The 2025 data show that approach continues to deliver."
Class Is also achieved their lowest-ever employee injury rate in 2025, and the Class I employee casualty rate declined 54% in 2025. The 2025 data shows improvements in nearly every major safety metric, according to AAR.
In 2025, derailments declined 13.6% over 2024; mainline accidents declined 2.8% industry-wide and 6.1% among Class I railroads, AAR officials said. Grade crossing incidents, however, were essentially flat year over year.
An AAR-created information sheet about the 2025 FRA data is available to download here.