ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, March 6, 1996 TAG: 9603060089
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
A recent run of fatal railroad accidents reveals inattention by the industry and slack oversight by Congress and federal regulators, union officials asserted Tuesday.
But industry officials and several lawmakers cautioned the House Transportation Committee's railroads subcommittee against overreacting before knowing the cause of each accident. They said railroads have a safe record compared to other modes of transportation, and are improving that performance.
The subcommittee's hearing focused on grade crossings and the role of human error in collisions. In 14 major accidents so far this year, 19 people have been killed and 226 injured.
Rep. Susan Molinari, R-N.Y., said future hearings by the subcommittee she chairs will look into signal systems, equipment failures, sabotage and high-technology solutions.
Union officials said human error among rail employees should not be the focus of lawmakers' questions.
LENGTH: Short : 31 linesby CNB