A 'Death Train' Is Haunting South Florida

[unc70]

5. US trains hit and kill people

Comparing rail deaths in Florida (or NC, ...) with those on the LIRR or elsewhere on the Northeast Corridor are misleading. In the dense urban areas of the Northeast, most tracks are relatively difficult to access, often fenced off, and less likely at grade level.

In most of the US, the situations are quite different. Trains, motor vehicles, and pedestrians are routinely in the same spaces. Many small towns have their main streets immediately adjacent to the tracks.

Stupid behavior has severe consequences. For example, walking along the tracks while wearing headphones with loud music, maybe drunk. Many street crossings are unguarded -- no red nights, no crossing barriers. These tracks include the main lines north-south for Amtrak and freight.