Classification of [railway accidents](https://bliptext.com/articles/lists-of-[rail](https://bliptext.com/articles/rail-transport)-[accidents](https://bliptext.com/articles/accident)), both in terms of cause and effect, is a valuable aid in studying rail (and other) accidents to help to prevent similar ones occurring in the future. Systematic investigation for over 150 years has led to the railways' excellent safety record (compared, for example, with road transport). Ludwig von Stockert (1913) proposed a classification of accidents by their effects (consequences); e.g. -on-collisions, rear-end collisions, derailments. Schneider and Mase (1968) proposed an additional classification by causes; e.g. driver's errors, signalmen's errors, mechanical faults. Similar categorisations had been made by implication in previous books e.g. Rolt (1956), but Stockert's and Schneider/Mase's are more systematic and complete. With minor changes, they represent best knowledge.

Classification of rail accidents by effects

Other

Classification of rail accidents by causes

Drivers' errors

Signalmen's errors

(Mechanical) failure of rolling stock

Civil engineering failure

Acts of other people

Natural causes

Contributory factors