Alliance for Safe Trains Announces Petition to the Governor
With over 60 deaths on the Brightline tracks and trains going 30 mph faster headed for the Treasure and Space Coasts, the Alliance is sponsoring a petition to get the Governor’s attention. The online safe trains petition is now operational; links can be found on the Alliance’s website and Facebook page.
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The Alliance is focusing on the residents in the Phase 2 path of the trains from Palm Beach to Cocoa, where the 36 Brightline trains per day will reach speeds up to 110 mph and cross 130 streets at grade. The organization hopes to get at least 8,000 signatures from the region’s residents in order to grab the Governor’s attention.
The petition asks Governor DeSantis to direct Florida Transportation Secretary Perdue to prioritize Brightline Safety and contract for professional studies of the route hazards, crossings, and pedestrian danger zones. In addition, the Alliance wants our elected representatives involved in the reporting of study findings and planning of the mitigation efforts.
“The old Flagler route has been the deadliest route in the country for many years, which is why past analysts recommended speed trains not put there,” Susan Mehiel, petition manager, commented. “Higher speeds and more street crossings will mean even more deaths when Phase 2 goes into operation.”
The state legislature-funded Florida Rail Safety Study recommended the corporation put fencing along miles of open track, pedestrian bridges away from street crossings, and pedestrian channeling systems at grade crossings. No one knows if FDOT is requiring these additions and who is paying for them.
A Brightline train crashed into an unoccupied SUV in North Miami, and the dramatic accident was captured on cellphone video.https://t.co/zmR77YYnyD↗️#viral #video pic.twitter.com/jmNTkd1PTa
— World News Daily Post (@wndpblogpost) August 19, 2022
“The residents and voters have had no ability to communicate directly with FDOT or get answers from the company. We need better communications about study findings and funding sources,” said Mehiel said. “A task force of our elected representatives and FDOT needs to be formed so we can tackle the issues now.”
“Regardless of the number of trains running through, we’ve got to have a safe environment," said Goddard, president of Brightline.@nbc6 reported how drivers and pedestrians consistently move onto the tracks: 85 accidents, killing 27, injuring 30 others.https://t.co/ii24s4Tuum
— Phil Prazan (@PhilPrazan) August 16, 2022
The organization hopes there is a ground swell of residents signing the petition and sending the message loud and clear while the Governor is listening to his constituents as he travels the state campaigning. For more information, go to FLSafeTrains.com.
Another body courtesy of Brightline AGAIN https://t.co/R0BQwV6e9K pic.twitter.com/1cGvsLG50O
— The Don (@PoloAllOver) June 24, 2022
Susan Mehiel, Communications
Alliance for Safe Trains
828-606-5369
Website: FLSafeTrains.com
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