In Ohio alone, residents received two reminders last week that rail safety reform is still desperately needed.

On Wednesday a federal judge approved a $600 million class-action settlement for those affected by the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine in February 2023. A day before, residents of Whitewater Township, Ohio, received an evacuation order after styrene began leaking from a Central Railroad of Indiana railcar. Styrene, which is both toxic and flammable, is carried in tank cars. A pressure release valve on the tank began to vent styrene, prompting crews to spend the evening working to cool down the tank until it was safe for removal from the scene.

Those living within a half-mile of the incident were told to evacuate, though they have since been allowed to return to their homes. It was another frightening situation.

But for 2024, through August, there have been 828 reported railroad accidents (with a wide range of causes) in the United States.

Some movement has been made, within the rule-making and enforcement capabilities of the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration, but there is still a need for Congressional action.

As recently as this summer, the U.S. DOT’s “Fact Sheet on Rail Safety” includes the gentle reminder “Achieving the highest level of rail safety requires active and continued partnership from Congress.”

Congress has been back in Washington, D.C., for since Sept. 9 — though, granted, they’ve got a lot on their plates and many of them are more focused on winning an upcoming election than diving into their work.

Perhaps without the Whitewater Township incident, it might have been even easier for our elected officials to let the sense of urgency for reforming rail safety fade. But the incident MUST serve as a reminder not to give up the fight.