The Movement of Dangerous Goods

Despite heavy media coverage of derailments, Canada's rail system has a particularly good record for transporting dangerous goods. Millions of carloads of dangerous goods move by rail every year and over 99.9 per cent of them are delivered without incident.

There were 160 dangerous goods incidents recorded in 2010 - down from 207 the year prior. The great majority of these incidents occurred in rail yards, sidings and spurs and four of them were the indirect result of motor vehicles colliding with trains at road-rail crossings.

Trains carrying dangerous goods are rigorously inspected, not only at their departure point, but whenever they approach a densely populated area. Detailed documentation is carried on every train and recorded in central computer systems, so that the right measures for the products concerned can be taken in case of an emergency.

When dangerous goods accidents and incidents occur the RAC's own special response teams from railway companies, the chemical industry and local public security agencies work quickly to mitigate any damage.