One problem with the lack of air and rail accidents is the shortage of detail, the shortage of trend evidence, of precursor events. Each accident tends to be a bit of a one-off: yes, you can learn from them, but investigators and safety experts always want a bit more evidence to help!

One solution is near-miss reporting. This is a way in which employees can report near-accidents - events which, but for a happy chance, could have resulted in tragedy. An example is a member of the train crew opening doors on the wrong side of the train, but where no-one gets out. Researching these helps with the risk analysis process, and helps prevent or minimise future accidents.

Confidentiality and anonymity are almost essential, so the system is usually run by an organisation separate from the train companies. In the UK it is the free-standing CIRAS - Confidential Incident Reporting & Analysis System: in the US it is the Close Call system, run by the Federal Railroad Administration.

I understand that most, if not all, railways companies in Great Britain participate. They receive the regular CIRAS newsletter, in which details of important cases are reported and important trends highlighted.

In the US, things aren't quite that good. New Jersey Transit has recently joined Canadian Pacific and Union Pacific in the Close Call system. And sadly, the only two comments in one press report on NJT's joining were to the effect that whistle-blowers always get sacked! Er - that's why it's anonymous, guys! But where are all the other US railroads and transit systems?

OK, some of the reports will be frivolous. Some near misses won't get reported. Some whistle-blowers will, despite precautions, get identified and penalised. That, sadly, is life.

But some precursors, some dangerous practices will get picked up, will get nipped in the bud. Some accidents, some tragedies, will be prevented as a result. And that, too, is life.