Brightline is following the rules. Don't blame it for people's bad choices

Miami Herald

28-07-2025

Driving vs rail
South of Cocoa, Brightline is not a high-speed railroad. Maximum speed is less than 80 miles per hour, which is comparable to interstate highway speeds. Brightline, however, is a high-frequency railroad offering multiple departures daily. Every passenger on Brightline represents an automobile trip not taken. Data strongly suggests that travel by rail is far safer than automobile.
Brightline has adhered to all federal and state safety requirements. One must acknowledge that everyone who perished died due to either inattention, reckless driving or by their own intent. All were trespassing.
Major highways like I-95 remain the deadliest routes along this corridor, with persistently high fatality counts. A notorious 3.85-mile segment in Miami's Little River neighborhood recorded 27 fatalities, equating to roughly seven fatalities per mile — making it the most dangerous in the state.
High-risk segments include Okeechobee Boulevard (SR 704) in West Palm Beach and sections of State Road 80. This stretch evolving into Southern Boulevard was historically known for high fatality rates.
The segment of SR 704 in West Palm Beach (from I-95 to Jog Road) saw 75 fatalities from 2000–2019, ranking it among Florida's deadliest five-mile segment. Palm Beach County in 2023 experienced 181 traffic fatalities, with West Palm Beach city contributing about 20 per year.
Miami-Dade sees similar numbers, with more than 300 fatalities county-wide and 40–50 in the city annually.
While the Herald goes after Brightline, which has become an attractive option to travelers who would otherwise drive, all the highway fatalities and other road issues are ignored. As the Herald indicated, more can be done in connection with safety. However, Brightline cannot save anyone from themselves.
James Tilley,
president,
Florida Coalition of Rail Passengers,
Palm Beach Gardens
A.I. and labor
I appreciate the Trump administration directly addressing the issue of A.I., as it will affect every single aspect of American families' lives — including my own. Strengthening our national security and investing in our country's infrastructure are important policies needed for America to win the A.I. race.
However, I'm concerned about the impact it will have on my job and the jobs of people across the state.
If A.I. will put some people out of work, how are we going to provide for our families? How many manufacturing jobs will our state lose due to automation?
Unfortunately, the administration doesn't directly address this in its AI Action Plan. This must be the first step, not the only step, the government takes to minimize A.I.'s impact on America's labor force.
America First means always putting the American people first.
Derek Manzella,
Miami Beach
Schools icon
On July 24, G. Holmes Braddock passed away at age 100. Although local news media attempted to acknowledge his contributions to this community, sadly, none fully recognized or acknowledged the magnitude of his impact.
Unknown to most, Braddock was a civil rights leader who stood up for school desegregation at his own personal risk, when it required true courage. Braddock more importantly was a leader who always stood for fairness, impartiality and was a fierce advocate for children regardless of their race, faith or color. Braddock was never afraid to do what was ethically and morally required, regardless of the political implications of his actions.
On a personal level, Braddock was a superb father, husband and grandfather and for those of us who were privileged to know him well, to be able to call him a friend. During my last lunch with him a few months ago, I continued to be amazed that his renowned memory of everything from policy to funny school board stories was still as sharp as ever. During that lunch, it also became apparent that his appetite was as intense as ever as he devoured his meal and drank refill after refill of his beverage of choice — unsweetened ice tea.
Many will miss this giant of a man. I will as well, but I will always consider myself blessed to have known him.
Octavio Visiedo,
Miami-Dade County Schools Superintendent (1990-1996),
Miami
Wrestling icon
I am saddened to learn of the passing of Hulk Hogan. His name was synonymous with professional wrestling, a WWE superstar, transcending the industry to become an American pop culture fixture who was loved and admired around the world.
His grit and unbridled thirst for success were unparalleled and made him the consummate performer.
Paul Bacon,
Hallandale Beach
Snake charmers
In classic Miami fashion, the city is poised to hand over the historic, publicly owned Gusman Theater, not to a cultural institution or community group, but to Academica, a charter school operator with a flair for turning public assets into private profit.
Academica's track record?
Charging its own schools inflated rent, flipping public buildings and treating education like a real estate hustle. Naturally, Miami's leadership is intrigued. City Commissioner Joe Carollo even asked aloud what the city might get if it just sold the building — mask off, motives clear.
Promises of community use and renovations are vague at best and without legal safeguards, oversight, or reversion clauses, the deal is less stewardship, more surrender. Let's not act surprised when the theater is quietly gutted or repurposed.
This isn't civic vision, it's adopting a cobra because it promised to be chill. And when it bites, well, you knew it was a snake.
C.M. Smith,
Coral Gables
Cash only?
I grew up in Miami but moved away many years ago. However, my wife and I return to visit friends and family a few times a year.
On my last trip to St. Petersburg, we drove to Jacksonville in a rental car along toll roads. We stopped at the change booth to pay the toll. I handed a credit card but was advised only cash is accepted.
Really? The entire world has moved to electronic transactions and the University of Florida has transformed into an A.I.-centric institution, but the State of Florida is stuck in the 1970s?
Come on folks, get with the program.
Bill Moss,
Frisco, TX
Freedom journey
I arrived in the United States with my family on a Freedom Flight from Cuba when I was 17, feeling a mixture of sadness and excitement. Our first stop: the Freedom Tower. Hundreds of people were milling about, anxiously waiting after a sleepless night in Cuba. No luggage, just hopes.
There we were processed. We received U.S. government help like canned food, warm clothes for those of us who were continuing our journey to northern states and help with the rent.
Cubans called the Freedom Tower 'El Refugio,' the Refuge. Only much later did I realize the full meaning of that word for every single immigrant — refuge. Like millions before us, we found a home in a nation that is a wonderful and unique amalgam, a nation founded and built by immigrants from around the world.
The Freedom Tower is 100 years old this month. May the country that took us in with openness and kindness preserve the freedom for which the Tower stands.
Bianca Hagar,
Miami
Customer preference
Why does one company succeed and others fail?
Costco will accept returns and refund your money regardless of how old and used the product.
On the other hand, Target has discontinued its price match feature and the consumer must do all the comparisons.
As a consumer, which company would you prefer to do business with?
The market has answered: Costco.
Brian Scott,
Tallahasse