Editing Washington Metro (section)

== Safety and security ==
=== Security ===
{{Main|Metro Transit Police Department}}
[[File:Metro Transit Police at Virginia Square–GMU Station.jpg|thumb|right|Metro Transit Police vehicles at [[Virginia Square–GMU station]]]]
Metro planners designed the system with passenger safety and order maintenance as primary considerations. The open vaulted ceiling design of stations and the limited obstructions on platforms allow few opportunities to conceal criminal activity. Station platforms are built away from station walls to limit vandalism and provide for diffused lighting of the station from recessed lights. Metro's attempts to reduce crime, combined with how the station environments were designed with [[Crime prevention through environmental design|crime prevention]] in mind,<ref name="lavigne">{{cite web |title=Visibility and Vigilance: Metro's Situational Approach to Preventing Subway Crime (Research in Brief) |publisher=National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice |url=http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles/166372.pdf |last=La Vigne |first=Nancy G. |date=November 1997 |journal= |access-date=July 26, 2006 |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221010226/https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles/166372.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> have contributed to Metro being among the safest and cleanest subway systems in the United States.<ref name="lavigne2">{{Cite book |title=Preventing Mass Transit Crime |last=La Vigne |first=Nancy G. |publisher=Criminal Justice Press |year=1996 |isbn=1-881798-28-3 |editor-last=Clarke |editor-first=Ronald V. |chapter=Safe Transport: Security by Design on the Washington Metro (Chapter 6)}}</ref> There are nearly 6,000 video surveillance cameras used across the system to enhance security.<ref>{{cite news |title=Metro Plans to Triple Number of Security Cameras |url=http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Metro-Plans-to-Triple-Number-of-Security-Cameras-200859881.html |access-date=October 31, 2015 |work=NBC Washington |date=April 1, 2013 |archive-date=September 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907010427/http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Metro-Plans-to-Triple-Number-of-Security-Cameras-200859881.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Metro is patrolled by its own police force, which is charged with ensuring the safety of passengers and employees. Transit Police officers patrol the Metro and [[Metrobus (Washington, D.C.)|Metrobus]] systems, and they have jurisdiction and arrest powers throughout the {{convert|1500|sqmi|adj=on}} Metro service area for crimes that occur on or against transit authority facilities, or within {{convert|150|ft}} of a Metrobus stop. The Metro Transit Police Department is one of two U.S. police agencies that has local police authority in three "state"-level jurisdictions (Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia), the [[United States Park Police|U.S. Park Police]] being the other.<ref name="Metro Police">{{cite web |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/transit-police/ |title=Transit Police |publisher=[[WMATA]] |access-date=February 5, 2017 |archive-date=May 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509062256/https://www.wmata.com/about/transit-police/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Each city and county in the Metro service area has similar ordinances that regulate or prohibit vending on Metro-owned property, and which prohibit riders from eating, drinking, or smoking in Metro trains, buses, and stations; the Transit Police have a reputation for enforcing these laws rigorously. One widely publicized incident occurred in October 2000 when police arrested 12-year-old Ansche Hedgepeth for eating [[french fries]] in the {{wmata|Tenleytown–AU}} station.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.findlaw.com/wp/docs/crights/dcfrycase93003opn.pdf |title=Hedgepeth v. WMATA, et al. |date=September 30, 2003 |publisher=United States District Court for the District of Columbia |last=Sullivan |first=Emmet G. }}</ref> In a 2004 opinion by [[John Roberts]], now [[Chief Justice of the United States]], the [[United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit|D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals]] upheld Hedgepeth's arrest.<ref name="Hedgepeth case">[https://www.cadc.uscourts.gov/internet/opinions.nsf/4424E38DE56CFBEE85256F82006D607C/$file/03-7149a.pdf ''Hedgepeth v. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207220115/https://www.cadc.uscourts.gov/internet/opinions.nsf/4424E38DE56CFBEE85256F82006D607C/$file/03-7149a.pdf |date=February 7, 2017 }}, 386 [[F.3d]] 1148 ([[D.C. Cir.]] 2004) (Argued September 17, 2004, decided October 26, 2004)</ref> By then WMATA had answered negative publicity by adopting a policy of first issuing warnings to [[Minor (law)|juveniles]], and arresting them only after three violations within a year.

Metro's [[zero tolerance]] policy on food, trash and other sources of disorder embodies the "[[Broken windows theory|broken windows]]" philosophy of crime reduction. This philosophy also extends to the use of station restroom facilities. A longstanding policy, intended to curb unlawful and unwanted activity, has been to only allow employees to use Metro restrooms.<ref name="lavigne2" /> One widely publicized example of this was when a pregnant woman was denied access to the bathroom by a station manager at the {{wmata|Shady Grove}} station.<ref name="pregnant">{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Pregnant-Woman-Says-Metro-Worker-Refused-to-Let-Her-Use-Station-Bathroom-384923021.html |title=Pregnant Woman Says Metro Worker Refused to Let Her Use Station Bathroom |work=NBC4 Washington |date=June 29, 2016 |last1=Tuss |first1=Adam |last2=Swalec |first2=Andrea |access-date=February 16, 2018 |archive-date=February 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217141917/https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Pregnant-Woman-Says-Metro-Worker-Refused-to-Let-Her-Use-Station-Bathroom-384923021.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Metro now allows the use of restrooms by passengers who gain a station manager's permission, except during periods of heightened [[Homeland Security Advisory System|terror alerts]].<ref>{{cite press release |title=Metro steps up security as a precaution after foiled London terror plot |publisher=[[WMATA]] |date=August 10, 2006 |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=3844 |access-date=January 20, 2017 |archive-date=January 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125015227/https://www.wmata.com/about/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=3844 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="bathroom">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2016/06/30/want-to-use-a-metro-station-bathroom-know-your-rights/ |title=Want to use a Metro station bathroom? Know your rights. |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 30, 2016 |last=Powers |first=Martine |access-date=February 16, 2018 |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111225403/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2016/06/30/want-to-use-a-metro-station-bathroom-know-your-rights/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On January 22, 2019, the [[Council of the District of Columbia|D.C. Council]] voted 11–2 to override [[Mayor of the District of Columbia|Mayor]] [[Muriel Bowser]]'s veto of the Fare Evasion Decriminalization Act, setting the penalty for fare evasion at a $50 [[Civil penalty|civil fine]], a reduction from the previous criminal penalty of a fine up to $300 and 10&nbsp;days in jail.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pascale |first1=Jordan |title=Council Overrides Mayoral Veto; Fare Evasion Soon A $50 Civil Fine |url=https://wamu.org/story/19/01/22/council-overrides-mayoral-veto-fare-evasion-soon-a-50-civil-fine/ |access-date=June 1, 2019 |agency=[[WAMU]] |date=January 22, 2019 |archive-date=November 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110222037/https://wamu.org/story/19/01/22/council-overrides-mayoral-veto-fare-evasion-soon-a-50-civil-fine/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Random bag searches ====
On October 27, 2008, the [[Metro Transit Police Department]] announced plans to immediately begin random searches of backpacks, purses, and other bags. Transit police would search riders at random before boarding a bus or entering a station. It also explained its intent to stop anyone acting suspiciously.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sun |first=Lena H. |title=Metro to Randomly Search Riders' Bags |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/27/AR2008102700767.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=A01 |date=October 28, 2008 |access-date=September 18, 2017 |archive-date=December 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223042516/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/27/AR2008102700767.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Metro claims that "Legal authority to inspect packages brought into the Metro system has been established by the court system on similar types of inspections in mass transit properties, airports, military facilities and courthouses."<ref>{{cite press release |publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |date=October 27, 2008 |title=Metro Transit Police to begin bag inspection program |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/pressreleasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=2324 |access-date=February 16, 2018 |archive-date=February 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217083034/https://www.wmata.com/about/news/pressreleasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=2324 |url-status=live }}</ref> Metro Transit Police Chief Michael Taborn stated that, if someone were to turn around and simply enter the system through another escalator or elevator, Metro has "a plan to address suspicious behavior".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/10/27/DI2008102702325.html |title=Metro Transit's Top Cop Discusses New Search Policy |date=October 28, 2008 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=January 27, 2009 |first=Michael |last=Taborn |archive-date=January 6, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106052518/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/10/27/DI2008102702325.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Security expert [[Bruce Schneier]] characterized the plan as "[[security theater]] against a [[Bruce Schneier#movie plot threat|movie plot threat]]" and does not believe random bag searches actually improve security.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/10/30/DI2008103003705.html |title=Bruce Schneier Talks Metro Bag Searches |date=October 31, 2008 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=January 27, 2009 |archive-date=November 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107043710/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/10/30/DI2008103003705.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Metro Riders' Advisory Council recommended to WMATA's board of directors that Metro hold at least one public meeting regarding the search program. {{As of|2008|12}}, Metro had not conducted a single bag search.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/06/AR2008120601866.html |title=Discussion Overdue On Metrorail's Bag-Search Policy |author=Dr. Gridlock |date=December 7, 2008 |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=C02 |access-date=September 18, 2017 |archive-date=March 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328102730/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/06/AR2008120601866.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2010 Metro once again announced that it would implement random bag searches, and conducted the first such searches on December 21, 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Metro-Begins-Random-Bag-Searches-112240639.html |title=Metro Begins Random Bag Searches |date=December 21, 2010 |work=[[WRC-TV]] |access-date=February 5, 2017 |archive-date=February 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205182349/http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Metro-Begins-Random-Bag-Searches-112240639.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The searches consist of swabbing bags and packages for explosive residue, and [[X-ray]]ing or opening any packages which turned up positive. On the first day of searches, at least one false positive for explosives was produced, which Metro officials indicated could occur for a variety of reasons including if a passenger had recently been in contact with firearms or been to a firing range.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tyson |first=Ann Scott |date=December 21, 2010 |title=Metro bag inspections cause minor customer annoyances |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/21/AR2010122105534.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328164448/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/21/AR2010122105534.html |archive-date=March 28, 2018}}</ref> The D.C. Bill of Rights Coalition and the Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition circulated a petition against random bag searches, taking the position that the practice violates the [[Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution]] and would not improve security.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local-beat/Groups-Launch-Petition-Against-Metros-Bag-Searches.html |title=Groups Launch Petition Against Metro Bag Searches |date=December 20, 2010 |work=MSNBC |access-date=January 4, 2011 |archive-date=November 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110222007/https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/groups-launch-petition-against-metros-bag-searches/1861078/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 3, 2011, Metro held a public forum for the searches at a Metro Riders' Advisory Council meeting, at which more than 50 riders spoke out, most of them in opposition to the searches. However at the meeting Metro officials called random bag inspections a "success" and claimed that few riders had complained.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.wtop.com/?nid=598&sid=2220916 |title=Metro riders sound off on bag searches |date=January 4, 2011 |work=WTOP |access-date=January 4, 2011 |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821050537/http://wtop.com/?nid=598&sid=2220916 |url-status=live }}</ref>

After a prolonged absence, {{as of |2017|02|lc=y}}, bag searches have resumed at random stations throughout the Washington Metro area.{{Citation needed|date=November 2017}}

=== Safety ===

==== Accidents and incidents ====
{{Main|Incidents on the Washington Metro}}
Several collisions have occurred on Washington Metro, resulting in injuries and fatalities, along with numerous derailments with few or no injuries. WMATA has been criticized for disregarding safety warnings and advice from experts. The Tri-State Oversight Committee oversaw WMATA, but had no regulatory authority. Metro's safety department is usually in charge of investigating incidents, but could not require other Metro departments to implement its recommendations.<ref name="safetywarnings">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/05/AR2005060500968.html |title=Safety Warnings Often Ignored at Metro |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 6, 2005 |last1=Becker |first1=Jo |last2=Layton |first2=Lyndsey |access-date=June 25, 2009 |archive-date=November 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108093605/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/05/AR2005060500968.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Following several safety lapses, the [[Federal Transit Administration]] assumed oversight at WMATA.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/federal-officials-will-assume-responsibility-for-metro-safety/2015/10/09/8fe4cae6-6eca-11e5-aa5b-f78a98956699_story.html |title=Federal officials will assume responsibility for Metro safety – The Washington Post<!-- Bot generated title --> |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=August 3, 2016 |archive-date=September 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916063203/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/federal-officials-will-assume-responsibility-for-metro-safety/2015/10/09/8fe4cae6-6eca-11e5-aa5b-f78a98956699_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Collisions ====
[[File:NTSB-Woodley-Park-Accident.png|thumb|right|alt=A badly damaged subway car sticks up at an angle where it had partially ridden over another car in an underground station.|Crash at the {{wmata|Woodley Park}} station on November 3, 2004]]

During the [[North American blizzard of 1996|Blizzard of 1996]], on January 6, a Metro operator was killed when a train failed to stop at the {{wmata|Shady Grove}} station. The four-car train overran the station platform and struck an unoccupied train that was awaiting assignment. The [[National Transportation Safety Board]] (NTSB) investigation found that the crash was a result of a failure in the train's computer-controlled braking system. The NTSB recommended that Metro grant train operators the ability to manually control the braking system, even in inclement weather, and recommended that Metro prohibit parked rail cars on tracks used by incoming outbound trains.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/rar9604.pdf |title=Railroad Accident Report: Collision of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Train T-111 with Standing Train at Shady Grove Passenger Station, Gaithersburg, Maryland, January 6, 1996 |date=October 29, 1996 |publisher=National Transportation Safety Board |access-date=February 5, 2017 |archive-date=November 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110222006/https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/rar9604.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

On November 3, 2004, an out-of-service Red Line train rolled backwards into the {{wmata|Woodley Park}} station, hitting an in-service train stopped at the platform. The rear car (1077) was [[Telescoping (rail cars)|telescoped]] by the first car of the standing train (4018). No one died, 20 people were injured.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A22466-2004Nov3.html |title=20 Injured in Crash of 2 Red Line Trains |last1=Layton |first1=Lyndsey |last2=Ginsberg |first2=Steven |date=November 4, 2004 |newspaper=The Washington Post |pages=A01 |access-date=January 27, 2009 |archive-date=May 12, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512010822/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A22466-2004Nov3.html |url-status=live }}</ref> A 14-month investigation concluded that the train operator was most likely not alert as the train rolled backwards into the station. Safety officials estimated that had the train been full, at least 79 people would have died. The train operator was dismissed and Metro officials agreed to add rollback protection to more than 300 rail cars.<ref>{{cite news |first=Lena H. |last=Sun |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/23/AR2006032300974.html |title=Dozing Operator Blamed in Rail Accident |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=A01 |date=March 23, 2006 |access-date=September 18, 2017 |archive-date=January 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125134427/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/23/AR2006032300974.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:June 22, 2009 WMATA Collision - NTSB accident photo 422860.jpg|thumb|[[June 2009 Washington Metro train collision|Crash on June 22, 2009]], in which nine people were killed.]]

On June 22, 2009, at 5:02&nbsp;pm, [[June 2009 Washington Metro train collision|two trains on the Red Line collided]]. A southbound train heading toward Shady Grove stopped on the track short of the Fort Totten station and another southbound train collided with its rear. The front car of the moving train (1079) was telescoped by the rear car of the standing train (5066),<ref name="NTSB Fort Totten Abstract">{{cite web |title=NTSB Abstract RAR-10/02 |url=https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/rar1002.pdf |publisher=National Transportation Safety Board |access-date=February 5, 2017 |archive-date=February 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211020738/https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/RAR1002.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> and passengers were trapped. Nine people died and more than 70 were injured, dozens of whom were described as "[[walking wounded]]".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=25&sid=1702179 |title=Metro: Train operator not using cell phone |publisher=WTOP |date=June 25, 2009 |access-date=July 16, 2009 |archive-date=June 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627011414/http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=25&sid=1702179 |url-status=live }}</ref> Red Line service was suspended between the Fort Totten and Takoma stations, and New Hampshire Avenue was closed.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/062209_metro_train_collision |title=Photos from the scene |publisher=Myfoxdc.com |access-date=July 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626104511/http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/062209_metro_train_collision |archive-date=June 26, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0609/634125.html |title=9 Killed, 76 Injured in Deadliest Disaster in Metro History |publisher=Wjla.com |date=June 23, 2009 |access-date=July 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204114105/http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0609/634125.html |archive-date=December 4, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> One of the dead was the operator of the train that collided with the stopped train.

On November 29, 2009, at 4:27&nbsp;am, [[Incidents on the Washington Metro#November 29, 2009|two trains collided]] at the West Falls Church train yard. One train pulled in and collided with the back of the other train. No customers were aboard, and only minor injuries to the operators and cleaning staff were reported. However, three cars (1106, 1171, and 3216) were believed to be damaged beyond repair.<ref name="yardcollision">{{cite press release |publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |date=November 29, 2009 |title=Two six-car trains collide inside Metro rail yard |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=4162 |access-date=August 20, 2010 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202015745/https://www.wmata.com/about/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=4162 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Derailments ====
[[File:WMATA CAF 5152 derailment.jpg|thumb|right|alt=The crushed end of a subway car.|Green Line train after derailment on January 7, 2007]]
On January 13, 1982, [[1982 Washington Metro train derailment|a train derailed]] at a malfunctioning crossover switch south of {{wmata|Federal Triangle}}. In attempting to restore the train to the rails, supervisors failed to notice that another car had also derailed. The other rail car slid off the track and hit a tunnel support, killing three people and injuring 25 in its first fatal crash. Coincidentally, this crash occurred about 30 minutes after [[Air Florida Flight 90]] crashed into the nearby [[14th Street Bridges|14th Street Bridge]] during a major snowstorm.<ref name="history" />

On January 20, 2003, during construction of a new canopy at {{wmata|National Airport}}, Metro began running trains through the center track even though it had not been constructed for standard operations, and a Blue Line train derailed at the switch. No injuries resulted but the crash delayed construction by a number of weeks.<ref name="February 27, 2003">{{cite news |last=Layton |first=Lyndsey |title=Metro track blamed in derailment – Section not made for regular use |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=A1 |date=February 27, 2003}}</ref>

On January 7, 2007, a Green Line train carrying approximately 120 people derailed near {{wmata|Mount Vernon Square}} in downtown Washington. Trains were [[single-line working|single-tracking]] at the time, and the derailment of the fifth car occurred where the train was switching from the south to northbound track. The crash injured at least 18 people and prompted the rescue of 60 people from a tunnel.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/07/AR2007010700827.html |title=Green Line Metro Train Derails; at Least 18 Hurt |last1=Klein |first1=Allison |last2=Well |first2=Martin |date=January 8, 2007 |pages=A01 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=June 24, 2009 |archive-date=August 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820095237/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/07/AR2007010700827.html |url-status=live }}</ref> At least one person had a serious but non-life-threatening injury. The incident was one of a series of five derailments involving [[Washington Metro rolling stock#5000-series|5000-series]] cars, with four of those occurring on side tracks and not involving passengers.<ref name="Jan07">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/08/AR2007010800195.html|title=Federal Investigators Question Metro's Safety|last=Weiss|first=Eric M.|date=January 9, 2007|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=January 27, 2009|pages=A01|archive-date=October 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025063736/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/08/AR2007010800195.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 9, 2008, an Orange Line train (2000-series) derailed between Rosslyn and Court House.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/09/AR2008060901703.html |title=Metro Train Derails, Causing Major Delays |newspaper=The Washington Post |last1=Sun |first1=Lena H. |last2=Dean |first2=Daniela |date=June 10, 2008 |pages=B01 |access-date=June 24, 2009 |archive-date=November 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110222059/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/09/AR2008060901703.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/10/AR2008061000546.html |title=Metro Says Operator Wasn't First to Detect Derailment |newspaper=The Washington Post |last=Sun |first=Lena H. |date=June 11, 2008 |pages=B01 |access-date=June 24, 2009 |archive-date=September 6, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906134010/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/10/AR2008061000546.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On March 27, 2009, a Red Line train derailed just before 4:30&nbsp;pm just south of {{wmata|Bethesda}} causing delays but no injuries. A second train was sent to move the first train but it too derailed when it was about {{convert|600|ft|m}} from the first train.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/03/27/Two-DC-Metro-trains-derail/30451238203569/ |title=Two D.C. Metro trains derail |work=[[UPI]] |date=March 27, 2009 |access-date=March 16, 2021 |archive-date=March 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210317012301/https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/03/27/Two-DC-Metro-trains-derail/30451238203569/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On February 12, 2010, a Red Line train derailed at about 10:13&nbsp;am as it left {{wmata|Farragut North}} in downtown Washington. After leaving the station, the train entered the [[pocket track]] north of the station. As it continued, an [[derail|automatic derailer]] at the end of the pocket track intentionally derailed the train as a safety measure. If the train had continued moving forward on the pocket track, it would have entered the path of an oncoming train. The wheels of the first two cars in the six-car, White-Flint-bound train were forced off the tracks, stopping the train. Almost all of the estimated 345 passengers were evacuated from the damaged train by 11:50&nbsp;am and the NTSB arrived on the scene by noon. Two minor injuries were reported, and a third passenger was taken to [[George Washington University Hospital]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/getthere/2010/02/train_derails_at_farragut_nort.html |title=D.C. Metro train derails at Farragut North |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=February 12, 2010 |access-date=February 13, 2010 |archive-date=June 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624095244/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/getthere/2010/02/train_derails_at_farragut_nort.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The NTSB ruled the crash was due to the train operator's failure to follow standard procedures and WMATA management for failure to provide proper supervision of the train operator which resulted in the incomplete configuration of the train identification and destination codes leading to the routing of the train into the pocket track.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/rab1205.pdf |title=Railroad Accident Brief, Accident DCA-10-FR-004 |type=PDF |access-date=February 5, 2017 |archive-date=February 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201224842/https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/RAB1205.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

On April 24, 2012, around 7:15 pm, a Blue Line train bound for Franconia–Springfield derailed near Rosslyn. No injuries were reported.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post_now/post/metro-delayed-after-rosslyn-derailment-no-injuries-reported/2012/04/24/gIQAEOIUfT_blog.html |title=Metro delayed after Rosslyn derailment; no injuries reported |last1=Weil |first1=Marin |last2=Hedgpeth |first2=Dana |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=April 24, 2012 |access-date=April 27, 2012 |archive-date=April 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428140944/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post_now/post/metro-delayed-after-rosslyn-derailment-no-injuries-reported/2012/04/24/gIQAEOIUfT_blog.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On July 6, 2012, around 4:45 pm, a Green Line train bound for downtown Washington, D.C., and Branch Avenue derailed near [[West Hyattsville|West Hyattsville]]. No injuries were reported. A [[Buckling|heat kink]], due to the hot weather, was identified as the probable cause of the accident.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Investigators identify heat kink as probable cause of Friday derailment |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=5283 |date=July 7, 2012|publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |access-date=January 20, 2017 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202020410/https://www.wmata.com/about/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=5283 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On August 6, 2015, a non-passenger train derailed outside the {{wmata|Smithsonian}} station. The track condition that caused the derailment had been detected a month earlier but was not repaired.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/cause-of-last-weeks-metro-derailment-had-been-detected-in-early-july/2015/08/12/a77540f8-4131-11e5-8ab4-c73967a143d3_story.html |title=Cause of last week's Metro derailment had been detected in early July |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=August 12, 2015 |access-date=January 18, 2016 |first1=Faiz |last1=Siddiqui |last2=Aratani |first2=Lori |archive-date=January 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105085936/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/cause-of-last-weeks-metro-derailment-had-been-detected-in-early-july/2015/08/12/a77540f8-4131-11e5-8ab4-c73967a143d3_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On July 29, 2016, a Silver Line train heading in the direction of Wiehle–Reston East station derailed outside East Falls Church station. Service was suspended between Ballston and West Falls Church and McLean stations on the Orange and Silver Lines.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://wtop.com/tracking-metro-24-7/2016/07/metro-derailment-causes-service-disruptions/ |title=Portions of Orange and Silver lines to remain closed following Metro derailment |publisher=[[WTOP-FM|WTOP]] |date=July 29, 2016 |access-date=July 29, 2016 |archive-date=July 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731173358/http://wtop.com/tracking-metro-24-7/2016/07/metro-derailment-causes-service-disruptions/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On September 1, 2016, Metro announced the derailment of an empty six-car train in the Alexandria Rail Yard. No injuries or service interruptions were reported and an investigation is ongoing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wjla.com/news/local/metro-6-car-train-derails-at-alexandria-yard-no-passengers-on-board|title=Metro: 6-car train derails at Alexandria Yard; no passengers on-board|last=Mann/ABC7|first=Kendra|date=September 2016|language=en-US|access-date=September 2, 2016|archive-date=January 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108030916/http://wjla.com/news/local/metro-6-car-train-derails-at-alexandria-yard-no-passengers-on-board|url-status=live}}</ref>

On January 15, 2018, a Red Line train derailed between Farragut North and Metro Center. No injuries were reported. This was the first derailment of the new [[Washington Metro rolling stock#7000-series|7000-series]] trains.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Red-Line-Train-Derails-Outside-Farragut-North-Metro-Says-469347283.html |title=New Metro Train Derails in Downtown DC With 63 Passengers on Board |date=January 15, 2018 |access-date=January 15, 2018 |publisher=NBC Washington |first1=Sophia |last1=Barnes |first2=Adam |last2=Tuss |archive-date=January 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115130840/https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Red-Line-Train-Derails-Outside-Farragut-North-Metro-Says-469347283.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On July 7, 2020, a 7000-series Red line train derailed one wheelset on departure from {{wmata|Silver Spring}} around 11:20 in the morning.

On October 12, 2021, a 7000-series Blue Line train derailed outside [[Arlington Cemetery station|Arlington Cemetery]]. This forced the evacuation of all 187 passengers on board with no reported injuries.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{Cite news|title=Metro plans reduced service levels through Nov. 15 as it develops testing plan to restore rail cars|language=en-US|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2021/10/28/metro-ntsb-investigation-derailment-update/|access-date=October 31, 2021|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=November 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110222021/https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2021/10/28/metro-ntsb-investigation-derailment-update/|url-status=live}}</ref> Cause of the derailment was initially stated to be an axle not up to specifications and resulted in sidelining the entire 7000-series fleet of trains, approximately 60% of WMATA's current trains through Friday, October 29, 2021, for further inspection.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 18, 2021|title=Metrorail cutting service at least until Sunday after pulling 60% of fleet for derailment investigation|url=https://wtop.com/tracking-metro-24-7/2021/10/metro-almost-60-of-trains-out-of-service-starting-monday/|access-date=October 31, 2021|website=WTOP|language=en|archive-date=October 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031192040/https://wtop.com/tracking-metro-24-7/2021/10/metro-almost-60-of-trains-out-of-service-starting-monday/|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 28, 2021, WMATA announced that the system would continue running at a reduced capacity through November 15, 2021, as further investigation took place.<ref name=autogenerated1 />  The inspection determined a defect causes the car's wheels to be pushed outward. As of July 2022, the system was still running without most 7000-series cars. Workers manually inspect wheels on eight trains daily to catch the defect before it becomes problematic; the remaining cars are out of service pending an automated fix.<ref>{{cite news |title=Metro withdrew request for more trains on Independence Day |date=July 5, 2022 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706005018/https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2022/07/05/metro-trains-july-fourth/ |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |url-status=live |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2022/07/05/metro-trains-july-fourth/}}</ref>

==== Safety measures ====
On July 13, 2009, WMATA adopted a "zero tolerance" policy for train or bus operators found to be texting or using other hand-held devices while on the job. This new and stricter policy came after investigations of several mass-transit accidents in the U.S. found that operators were texting at the time of the accident. The policy change was announced the day after a passenger of a Metro train videotaped the operator texting while operating the train.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hughes |first=John |publisher=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aQFnCkF0qCSs |title=Washington Metro Train Operators Caught Texting Will Be Fired |date=July 9, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025075535/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aQFnCkF0qCSs |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Smoke incidents ===
During the early evening rush on January 12, 2015, a Yellow Line train stopped in the tunnel. It filled with smoke just after departing L'Enfant Plaza for Pentagon due to "an electrical arcing event" ahead in the tunnel. Everyone on board was evacuated; 84 people were taken to hospitals, and one died.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/01/12/politics/smoke-lenfant-plaza/ |title=1 dead after smoke shuts down D.C. metro station |publisher=CNN |last=Jaffe |first=Christopher |date=January 13, 2015 |access-date=January 18, 2016 |department=politics |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304211240/http://edition.cnn.com/2015/01/12/politics/smoke-lenfant-plaza/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On March 14, 2016, an electrified rail caught fire between McPherson Square and Farragut West, causing significant disruptions on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines. Two days later, the entire Metro system was shut down so its electric rail power grid could be inspected.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=6082 |title=All Metrorail service will be suspended Wednesday, March 16, for emergency inspections |publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |date=March 15, 2016 |access-date=March 16, 2016 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202021411/https://www.wmata.com/about/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=6082 |url-status=live }}</ref>