In Slovakia, we have less than 250 kilometers out of 3600 kilometers of tracks equipped with a modern ETCS security system. These are sections Bratislava – Žilina and Žilina – Čadca. Remote -controlled tracks are only 11 %. On Monday, in connection with the tragic collision of express trains near the village of Jablonov nad Turňou in the district of Rožňava, the Secretary General of the Association of Industrial Associations and Transport (APD) Andrej Lasz pointed out.
“This means that if the human factor fails and the driver passes the signal to stand, nothing can prevent the collision. Only modern security systems could prevent it. We are lagging behind in digitization and automation, we lack predictable funding, priority plan and sanctions for non -fulfillment, ”said Lasz.
APD, together with the Association of Railway Carriers of Slovakia and Transport experts They have prepared a bill on the National Traffic Infrastructure to eliminate long -term systemic failures. According to Lasz, the law is to ensure predictable and stable financing of transport infrastructure, its transparent and direct use at national, regional and local levels and a binding list of priorities of traffic investments with clearly determined responsibility and sanctions for non -compliance.
“If we want to prevent similar tragedies, without a long -term vision and strategic planning it just won’t work. We can’t wait for another misfortune to happen. We must start acting according to a clear vision, with a long -term plan of modernization, which will bring more modern and safer transport, ”he added.
The status of Slovak railway lines after Monday’s accident was also criticized by KSK chairman. “For years we have been listening to billions of investments in railways, modernization and how to rely on ecological transport. And then this happens on one of the main tracks in the east of Slovakia. It’s not just an accident. It is a symbol of the state in which the Slovak railway is located. While the visions of high -speed tracks are drawn in Bratislava, people in the east pray that the train reaches safely to the destination, ” Trnka stated and wished all the injured an early recovery.
The collision of two express trains occurred on Monday shortly after 10.00 am in front of the tunnel near the village of Jablonov nad Turňou. The accident happened where the tracks cross and pass into a single track. Seven people are in a critical condition after the accident, 14 people are moderately injured and 48 people have suffered minor injuries. A likely unofficial cause of the misfortune was the failure of the human factor.
