New Jersey Senator Pushes for More Railroad Safety Standards

A U.S. senator from New Jersey is calling for tougher penalties for railroads that violate safety rules among other changes he’s proposing to try to prevent accidents involving hazardous materials.

Democrat Robert Menendez says his plan is in response to a National Transportation Safety Board report that found systemic problems involved in the November 2012 derailment of a train in Paulsboro.

One derailed car leaked a hazardous gas into the community.

Speaking in Paulsboro on Thursday, Menendez says he wants emergency management officials to have more information on hazardous materials and wants new safety procedures for certain railroad operations.

He says he may try to get his proposals included in a federal transportation bill.