Rise in temperature & train strikes


Yes, warm temperatures and specific seasonal changes are associated with higher rates of overall suicides, including violent methods like train suicides. While some studies show peak occurrences in warmer, early summer months, research also suggests that railway suicide attempts can be linked to preceding periods of bad weather or lack of sunlight. 

Stanford University

Stanford University

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Warm Weather Association: Increased temperatures, particularly heatwaves, are correlated with increased suicide rates, with some studies suggesting a 1% rise in suicides for every 

 increase in average monthly temperature.

Seasonal Patterns: Research has shown that suicides tend to peak during warmer months (spring/summer). However, some studies specifically on railway suicides found peaks in early summer, often linked to the timing of daylight and increased activity.

Opposing Findings (Recent Weather): In contrast to the heat hypothesis, a study on Japanese railways found that railway suicides were more associated with "bad weather" (low sunlight, rain, or cloudy days) in the days leading up to the incident, rather than the temperature on the day of the act.

Method Specifics: Violent methods of suicide, such as jumping in front of a train, are more strongly linked to seasonal and meteorological factors compared to non-violent methods.

From the NTSB:

NTSB: Fatal Amtrak derailment shows need for more track ...Train strikes in the U.S. occur frequently, with over 1,300 train derailments annually (roughly three per day). In 2022, 276 people died in vehicle-train collisions at crossings. The NTSB continuously investigates incidents involving worker fatalities (e.g., 43 employee casualties in 2023) and vehicular collisions, aiming to improve safety 

Train Accident and Strike Statistics

Frequency: About 1,300 train derailments occur in the U.S. annually.

Grade Crossing Collisions: In 2022, there were 276 fatalities and 497 injuries in vehicle-train collisions at highway-rail grade crossings.

Worker Safety: In 2023, 43 injuries/fatalities were reported among employees riding on the sides of moving railcars, a 4.7% increase from the previous year.

Fatal Risk: As of 2020, the odds of dying in a train accident were roughly 1 in 240,000.

Contextual Data: A person or vehicle is hit by a train roughly every 3 hours. 

Common Causes and Factors

Maintenance-of-Way Errors: Fatalities often occur when personnel are struck while working on or near tracks.

Railcar Riding Incidents: Improper safety protocols during railcar riding contribute to injuries.

Pedestrian Accidents: Suicide by train accounts for a significant portion of strikes (e.g., 40% of incidents for some commuter lines). 

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