FRA issued an industry-wide safety advisory Dec. 11 to reinforce federal ­regulations regarding maximum authorized train speed limits. The advisory provides guidance on four recommended measures:

* Review the circumstances of the recent derailment with their operating employees;
* Provide instruction to employees during training classes and safety briefings on the importance of compliance with maximum authorized train speed limits and other speed restrictions;
* Evaluate results of operational data regarding speed testing; and
* Reinforce the importance of communication among train crew members located in the controlling locomotive.

DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx said that “safety is our highest priority,” and the new advisory, along with other recently issued measures, will help improve safety across all rail lines.

“Over the last decade, train accidents have declined by 43 percent nationally, a result of our rigorous safety regime, but we must always do better as we drive continuous safety improvement,” said FRA Administrator Joseph Szabo.

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