The high speed train service, popular in South Florida, has been doing a lot more than getting someone to their destination.

The Brightline Bullet Train opened back in 2018 and was named a “ carefree, car- free way to travel.” This train has been everything but carefree and car free since it’s opening.

“Living in a busy city with a lot of cars and traffic, driving is already dangerous enough and adding the risk of being hit by a train isn’t necessary,”, said senior Justin Callahan

In four years, the train has been responsible for more than 50 deaths and severe injuries.

• In late January of 2022, a man died after being hit by a Brightline train in Hollywood as he tried to cross the tracks. 
• On January 4th, a Brightline train struck and killed a pedestrian in Boynton Beach. 
• December 30, a 68-year-old man and his sister were killed after police say he attempted to drive across railroad tracks in Aventura while the safety gates were in the down position. 

“The impacts reach far beyond the loss of life and damage to property,” said Kim Delany, Director of Strategic Development and Policy for the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, “They take psychological tolls on train crew members, she said, as well as on first responders, and friends and family of the victims and beyond.”

On November 21, Brightline’s cooperate office installed two cameras at two crossing bases in Miami-Dade County to track motorist activity to see who drove around closed gates. To date, there have been 812 infractions, and Brightline has been sending out tickets to the homes of the offenders, warning them that what they are doing is both illegal and dangerous.

“When I have to cross the train tracks, I am very cautious and aware about when the train is going to come. These accidents have scared me enough to know better then to take chances while I’m driving,”said junior Silvana Levito.