By Railfan & Railroad Staff 

Ohio has become the first state in the nation to pass a law requiring railroads to install defect detectors every 10 to 15 miles on main line routes. 

On March 31, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed the state’s $13.5 billion transportation budget, which featured a number of safety items in response to Norfolk Southern’s fiery derailment in East Palestine in February. The law also requires that there be two people in the cab of every freight train in the state. 

“Ohio is now the first and only state with requirements for wayside detectors. We need to see this spread like wildfire, ideally to U.S. Congress,” said Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen Ohio State Legislative Board Chairman John Esterly.

In February, an NS train derailed and caught fire in East Palestine. Since then elected leaders have been feeling pressure to pass legislation at the state and federal level to increase rail safety. Legislation similar to the Ohio bill has been proposed in Congress.