Wrong Side of the Track: Crimes in the Railroad Industry in the US,2000

Abstract

The extant criminological literature on railroad crimes is scant, and historically focused on crimes against railroads (e.g., train robberies), or safety at railroad crossings, or train stations in relation to the distribution of crimes. To date, studies have not examined the extent of crime committed by railroads, nor how those violations are punishment. This study draws attention to the scope of railroad crimes and their punishment in the US using all reported/known railroad safety violations for the year 2000–2017 (N = 14,380). During this time period, the railroad industry ranks third for the number of crimes committed by a US business sector. The study begins by examining the early history of railroad accidents and the influence of railroad tycoons and their personal characteristics as factors that have shaped the railroad industry in the US. Relevant railroad regulations are also examined.

Keywords

corporate crime railroad crime railroad safety railroad safety fines robber barons railroad train accidents

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Wrong Side of the Track: Crimes in the Railroad Industry in the US,2000–2017

Abstract

Keywords

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