An avoidable disaster. Hold Norfolk Southern, politicians accountable for East Palestine

(This opinion article represents the collective viewpoint of the Akron Beacon Journal's Editorial Board, which includes two editors and four community members.)

The nightmarish horrors inflicted on the tiny eastern Ohio town of East Palestine should serve as a wake-up call to all Americans.

While accidents are always part of life, what happened when the hazardous cargo of a Norfolk Southern train derailed Feb. 3 is unacceptable and again illustrates why proper safety standards can't be compromised in the name of corporate profits or political victories.

There's still much we don't know about why the train derailed and how much fault Norfolk Southern should bear. There are also unanswered questions on how the emergency was managed and whether the controlled release of vinyl chloride from five rail cars was the best solution.

East Palestine explained: Maps and graphics explain toxic train derailment

But we do know Norfolk Southern recently reported record operating profits, has a poor accident rate when compared to most of its peers, has lobbied against tougher safety standards and favors running heavier and longer trains to maximize profits.

ProPublica reported Thursday that Norfolk Southern policy "allows staffers to instruct crews to ignore alerts from track sensors that flag possible mechanical issues." In October, the company allowed a train with an engine wheel heating up to continue near Sandusky. Four miles later it derailed, dumping thousands of gallons of molten paraffin wax.

We also know federal rail standards have eroded, including dropping mandatory cabooses where personnel could report problems at the back of a train. And it's a fact that the Trump administration repealed a brakes requirement for some trains, stating the cost exceeded its benefits.

Norfolk Southern train likely passed through heavily populated areas

As awful as the scene in East Palestine has been, we keep imagining if this derailment had happened 60 miles earlier in a more populated area along the busy Norfolk Southern line. What would have happened if the same train derailed in Cleveland, Macedonia, Hudson, Ravenna or Alliance? All are along the Norfolk Southern main line, which also had a derailment in November near Ravenna.

The fires alone could have killed many and destroyed buildings while disrupting tens of thousands of lives, not to mention the clear health and environmental concerns from the release of toxic chemicals.

Norfolk Southern route: Train carrying toxic chemicals traveled through many northern Ohio cities before derailing

Expert: East Palestine derailment a horror, but we should worry more about what's on trucks

We empathize with the people of East Palestine in every way possible. They did not ask for their lives to be turned upside down and deserve all the help they need, beginning with clear and factual answers.

We've also been reminded that few of us pay attention to what's inside tanker train cars and semis, although the latter carry much smaller quantities. Many Ohioans are surely looking at and listening to trains roar through their communities with a different state of mind the past three weeks. Local leaders along major rail lines should review their disaster plans.

Politicians worry about votes more than lives

The politics of East Palestine also have been predictably pathetic, with a war of words emerging between Republicans and Democrats about whom to blame, how the response is being handled and score keeping on who has visited the site. Politicians who could not be found near the disaster the first week have flocked in droves the past two weeks, issuing statements and making promises as they go.

With the lone exception of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's steady attempts to lead with facts, it's been a disgraceful reminder of how our broken political system harms people.

Most Americans expect our government to balance our safety with sensible regulations for interstate commerce such as rail lines. It's clear the threat of litigation and big damage awards is not enough to protect us any more.

We're tired of the see-saw era of Democrats creating new safety regulations and pro-big business Republicans rolling them back, knowing the proper solution is probably somewhere in the middle.

It's time for our elected leaders to set aside their petty games and craft immediate solutions that can prevent another rail disaster from destroying another community.

Let's hold Norfolk Southern and our leaders accountable for once.

More:Norfolk Southern alerted to overheated wheel bearing right before Ohio train derailment

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Hold Norfolk Southern and politician enablers accountable