Amid a strong economy and increased demand for rail services in 2005, the number of overall train accidents and derailments declined according to the latest statistics compiled by the Federal Railroad Administration, U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta announced.

Preliminary full year data comparing 2005 with 2004 shows that overall train accidents decreased 7.9 percent, including an 8.4 percent reduction in the number of derailments, Mineta said. In addition, the total number of highway-rail grade crossing fatalities declined 3.5 percent and the grade crossing collision rate reached an all-time record low of 3.81 per million train-miles, he said.