Rail transport is the safest mode of land transport, and is improving continuously in terms of safety. The International Union of Railways (UIC) has published its annual report on railway accidents in Europe. UIC’s safety database has been collecting data since 2001 and currently covers 22 UIC members, representing 89% of the rail network within the European Economic Area (EU and EFTA). The database is managed by UIC’s Safety Unit. As well as serving as a depository for statistical information on accidents, it also offers extensive insight into the causes, circumstances and consequences of accidents and aligns with the classifications and definitions used in European regulations.