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State of Finnish railway safety

The situational picture compiles information on the most recent safety reports in rail transport. The data are updated once a year. The information is produced by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom.

The railway safety in Finland has been at a good level in recent years. Specifically, the level of passenger safety is excellent and hence travelling by train is safe. The longer-term assessment shows that railway safety has clearly improved during the years, and collisions and derailments, for example, are currently rather rare. 

The coronavirus pandemic continued to have an impact on the volume of rail transport in 2021, particularly in passenger transport. According to statistics by the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, the number of passenger-kilometres only increased by a few percent compared to 2020. 

A great deal of work has been done in recent years to improve competence and the safety culture in the rail sector. While change takes time, sustained efforts can help ensure sufficient competence across the sector and support the building of a good safety culture. A good safety culture promotes the sharing of safety information, which further facilitates learning and positive safety development across the sector.

Safety of train traffic

In 2021, there were 25 significant rail transport accidents. The number of significant accidents was higher in 2021 than in preceding years. One particular reason for the increase in the total number was level crossing accidents resulting in deaths and serious injuries. 

It is important to note that the number of accidents in a single year is not a very descriptive indicator in assessing the overall development of railway safety because there are always multiple factors contributing to individual accidents.

In 2021, there were 13 significant level crossing accidents (the corresponding number in 2020 was 5). The total number of level crossing accidents in 2021 (26 accidents) was very close to the average of the previous five years (25 accidents). Over a longer term, the number of level crossing accidents has decreased.

Of all significant level crossing accidents in 2021, 38% involved crossings with half barriers or with user-side warning (warning lights and audible alarms). The percentage is the same also when examining the total number of level crossing accidents. 

Casualties in railway accidents

Most casualties on railways are caused by accidents to persons involving rolling stock in motion. These accidents typically cause 50 to 60 fatalities every year and most of these are deliberate. No clear trend can be observed in the annual numbers of these accidents, but in 2021 their number was below average (38). 

Safety of shunting

While shunting safety has clearly improved in Finland over the past ten years, many accidents and incidents continue to occur in this work. In total, 142 shunting occurrences occurred in 2021. This number was slightly higher than the year before but remained below the level in 2019. Systematic efforts have been made to improve shunting safety, for example, by promoting a good safety culture and ensuring the use of safe work practices. 

Safety of work on tracks

Safe coordination of track work and train traffic has been a key challenge to railway safety for a number of years. Typical occurrences related to track work, including unauthorised passing of the track work area, working without a track work permit, and errors in the opening of the track work site to traffic, pose risks to the safety of both train traffic and track maintenance workers. In total, 143 safety occurrences occurred during the track works in 2021. Even though the number remains high, it has been reduced due to the determined safety work. Specifically, in 2021, the frequency of occurrences in track work decreased by 24% compared to 2020.

More information on railway safety

The more detailed descriptions of the Finnish railway safety can be found from here