The race for profit gives railroad corporations incentive to pack schedules and loosen standards, even if it means killing workers.
Archived version: archive.ph/AcHhx
Why do railroad workers keep dying on the job?
Submitted 8 months ago by BrikoX@lemmy.zip to globalnews@lemmy.zip
https://therealnews.com/why-do-railroad-workers-keep-dying-on-the-job
vorpuni@jlai.lu 8 months ago
The problem isn’t greed, there will always be psychopaths finding the most profitable ventures where they can act without fear of their lack of morals being a hindrance. The problem is that the people responsible for accidents and even catastrophes don’t have to pay for damages, or spend any time in prison. They are known to be responsible and the penalties are always ridiculous. The incentive is to keep pushing for the limits in profits/damage done.
The posturing about electropneumatic brakes in the USA a few years back is ridiculous. Freight trains in UIC countries don’t need them to be way less dangerous. Turns out maintenance and safety culture help more than technological gizmos.
The rule of law only applies to the undesirables.
Victims, for now at least, put up with the justice system being useless at curbing the disregard for safety. What happens when people don’t trust the justice system anymore is lynch mobs and random assassinations.
Trains laden with dangerous goods can raze a city so people should keep the railway companies accountable before it happens to them.
SoupBrick@yiffit.net 8 months ago
I feel like the root of this problem is greed. The only ones who can curb unsafe practices with regulation is elected officials. You know when they don’t? Lobbying done by the greedy railroad corpos. A small expense for a larger profit.