Washington, D.C., Feb 27 (NationPress) - US legislators have reintroduced comprehensive rail safety measures three years following a hazardous train derailment in Ohio. The proposed legislation aims for enhanced oversight of dangerous materials, more rigorous inspections, and improved protections for communities adjacent to railways.

The bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2026 was presented this week by Senator John Fetterman along with a coalition of Democratic and Republican lawmakers.

“It’s been three years since the disastrous train derailment in East Palestine, a tragedy that could have been avoided. Congress has yet to take any action,” Fetterman stated, emphasizing that the bill is designed to hold railroads accountable and enhance community safety.

Senator Maria Cantwell remarked that it has been over three years since the Norfolk Southern derailment catastrophe in East Palestine, Ohio, and it is high time for Congress to take action.

The Railway Safety Act mandates railroads to implement technology that could have averted the East Palestine incident, enforce stricter penalties on large railroad firms, and ensure that trains transporting hazardous materials adhere to elevated safety standards.

This legislation will require the installation of defect-detection technology, such as hotbox detectors, to be positioned at an average of every 15 miles instead of the current 25 miles.

It will redefine high-hazard trains to encompass flammable gases, explosives, and radioactive substances, while also capping train speeds at 50 miles per hour, with reduced limits in urban areas that are considered high-risk.

Furthermore, it will prevent railroads from restricting inspection times and necessitate periodic freight car inspections at least once every five years. Civil penalties for transgressions will significantly increase, with maximum fines potentially reaching up to $5 million in instances resulting in death or severe injury.

The legislation also stipulates the use of two-person crews on Class I freight trains, accelerates the retirement of older DOT-111 tank cars by 2027, and broadens grant programs for fire departments to acquire protective equipment.

Greg Regan from the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, stated, “It’s unacceptable that communities nationwide have faced over 3,100 derailments since the toxic Norfolk Southern train incident in East Palestine, Ohio.”

He added, “Rail workers and communities near railroad tracks deserve assurance that Congress will implement sensible reforms to pave the way for a safer rail system.”

East Palestine resident Misti Allison commented, “Communities like mine recognize that rail safety transcends politics. It is fundamentally a matter of public safety, environmental stability, and public health.”

The bill also establishes an emergency response assistance program, providing up to $10 million in immediate support for communities addressing a significant hazardous materials transportation incident.

For India, where railways transport millions daily and handle chemicals and petroleum products across densely populated areas, the US discourse highlights a shared challenge: balancing freight efficiency with passenger safety and rigorous oversight of dangerous cargo.