20150514

Where is the safest place to sit on a train?


Conventional wisdom holds that the front car of a train is the most dangerous place in the event of a head-on collision, while the last car is less safe if the train is rear-ended. 

But, in fact, trains are nine times more likely to derail than to hit another train or car head-on or to get hit from behind, according to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

In general, aisle seats are safer than window seats, where a passenger is more likely to come in contact with broken glass or be thrown from the train.

Safety experts also recommend choosing a rear-facing seat, because a person sitting there is less likely to be thrown forward during a collision. 

If the train has a café car, it's a good idea to avoid spending too much time there, because the rigid tables can become dangerous if the train suddenly breaks or hits something.

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