TCPalm. (Treasure Coast Newspapers), 10/16/23
Railway deaths: Brightline was deadliest in 2022; says safety ‘a shared responsibility’At least two pedestrians have been killed since Brightline launched Miami-to-Orlando service in September.
Key Points
- California, Texas and Florida have had most train deaths since 2017
- Nearly all Brightline fatalities recorded as trespassing incidents
- Suicides accounted for at least 7% of Brightline train deaths
- Brightline working with Operation Lifesaver to promote rail safety
CONTENT WARNING: This story discusses suicide. Help is available 24/7 at the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Brightline trains killed more people per mile in the U.S. last year and more people in Florida since its founding in 2017 than any other railroad company, a TCPalm analysis of federal data found.
The high-speed passenger rail service had one death every 24,433 miles in 2022, compared to the national average of one death every 590,614 miles for 56 carriers totaling 922 deaths last year.
At least 97 people were killed by Brightline trains in three Florida counties through July 30, according to U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) records updated Oct. 5:
- 44: Broward
- 33: Palm Beach
- 20: Miami-Dade
