On June 22, 2009, a shocking accident rocked routine rush hour traffic, taking the lives of nine commuters and injuring dozens of others on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) railway. That day, the automatic train control system, which determines train speed and spacing, failed to detect the presence of inbound Train 214. As a result, Train 214 ground to a halt not far from the Fort Totten station. Meanwhile, the following train — number 112 — coasted across the rails at the maximum speed of 55 mph. A bend in the track eliminated opportunity for Train 112's operator to observe stopped Train 214 in time, and only seconds after what must have been a horrific realization for its operator and passengers, Train 112 barreled into Train 214 at significant speed. In the wake of this disaster, we find a reverberating lesson that must not fade with familiarity: commitment to safety must be demonstrated at the highest levels, and it must impact every facet of an organization to foster a safety culture that is truly effective.