Why are joints the cause of so may issues?

[@Darara1987]

Also because it's a weak point as its held in place with fishplates and bolts under pressure from trains continously travelling over them it may have a dip in the rail and avoiding under the sleepers which is way Inspection of railways are so important to check joints are still functioning as intended and provent serious incidents occurring.

[@thepwayengineer]

Another important inspection is the ultrasonic inspection of the bolt holes themselves, to ensure they have not started to crack