Brightline's Rising Death Toll: Are Our Tracks Safe Enough?

Brightline's Rising Death Toll: Are Our Tracks Safe Enough?

The safety of Brightline trains in Florida has come under increasing scrutiny, following a shocking statistic: over 180 fatalities associated with this service since its launch. Ian Savage, a rail-safety expert at Northwestern University, notes the heightened risks are largely due to Brightline’s shared tracks with freight trains, particularly near major highways. In its first week alone, a tragic incident claimed the life of Jeffrey King, a 51-year-old cyclist, in Boynton Beach, marking one of the early warnings of a growing concern. Since then, the calls for a federal safety review have intensified, with congressional representatives like Marco Rubio and Brian Mast voicing their concerns about the situation, with Mast notably criticizing Brightline’s stance of blaming victims for these accidents.

Brightline president Patrick Goddard asserted that many of the fatalities were attributed to suicides or drug influence. Notably, only two of the deaths were officially classified as suicides; the rest had drugs in their systems, but the specifics remain murky. Randy Johanson’s case, for instance, raised eyebrows. Initially ruled a suicide, his death was later categorized as „undetermined“ after it came to light that he was deaf and had left his hearing aids at home and was struck by a train traveling at a staggering 102 mph. Another distressing incident involved Danny Black, who, while listening to headphones, was tragically unaware of the approaching train.

A History of Fatalities and Safety Concerns

Since its inception, Brightline, which has been colloquially dubbed the „Fright Line,“ has earned a reputation as the deadliest passenger railway in the U.S. per mile. Investigative reports from the local news outlet have revealed that from 2018 to mid-2025, Brightline trains have killed at least 182 people, averaging about one death every two weeks. Moreover, less than half of these fatalities were ruled as suicides, suggesting a broader issue at play. Jim Kovalsky, from the Florida East Coast Railway Society, emphasized that the high density of crossings in South Florida adds to the peril.

Even more alarming, two fatalities were reported in the wake of Brightline’s expanded service from Miami to Orlando that began in September 2023. Brightline trains recorded the highest number of fatalities per mile in 2022, with one death every 24,433 miles, in stark contrast to the national average of one death every 590,614 miles across various rail carriers. The Federal Railroad Administration has categorized the majority of these deaths as „trespassing,“ with incidents often resulting from unsafe behaviors such as walking and running near the tracks.

The Push for Safety Improvements

Despite the tragic data, Brightline has reportedly resisted significant safety upgrades, even though federal regulators have urged the implementation of better safety measures, which include fencing and upgrading crossings. Brightline has supported a federal grant aimed at enhancing safety, contributing $10 million towards the cause, but many crossings remain open—often highlighted as hazardous. For example, a crossing in North Miami has been particularly dangerous, suffering multiple accidents over the years. The failure to close these crossings has been a point of frustration among regulators, who are concerned for public safety.

In response to the ongoing safety crisis, Brightline has maintained that none of the fatalities stemmed from improper train handling or equipment failure. They continue to highlight their dedication to rail safety through community outreach initiatives, including partnerships with organizations like Operation Lifesaver. Educating the public to follow safety laws around the tracks is crucial, especially given that, on average, a person or vehicle is hit by a train every three hours in the U.S. Residents and commuters in South Florida have a significant role to play in enhancing rail safety, as Brightline encourages community cooperation in this pressing matter.