DURHAM—NCDOT officials say they're closely monitoring the investigation into a deadly train derailment south of Seattle, Washington.

A train flew off the tracks Monday, crashing onto an interstate. At least three people were killed. Investigators believe speed may have played a factor.

“Preliminary indications are that the train was traveling at 80 mph in 30 mph track,” said Bella Dinh-Zarr with the NTSB.

NCDOT officials sent the following statement to Spectrum News:

    We have already been very proactive in trying to reduce rail incidents. Earlier this year, we wrapped up upgrades on     40 road-rail crossings that now separate trains and vehicles to eliminate potential crashes.
 
    And we are in the process of installing “positive train control” systems in trains we operate, and will have that             complete by the end of Summer 2018, ahead of a federally-mandated deadline of Dec. 31, 2018.
 
    As for ongoing safety efforts, we have an inspection program housed in the Rail Division that has three inspectors         who are certified by the Federal Railroad Administration.  The areas we have inspectors for are: Track, Motive Power     & Equipment and Operating Practices.  These inspectors are Rail Division employees and they work all over the state     to inspect the railroads.  They assist the FRA inspectors in covering North Carolina.  The Rail Division inspectors have     the ability to write violations and submit those to the FRA for further action.

Officials add that once a final report comes out on the derailment, they will review and possibly change safety procedures.

Spectrum News talked to a few passengers taking Amtrak's Carolinian in Durham. They say not overly worried with what happened in Washington, putting their confidence in NCDOT.

“I'm not going to take fear, and I'm just going to continue to ride,” said Jeremy Finch.

“It's not a thing that's occurring every so often so it doesn't worry me as much,” said Beepul Bharti.