On this Tuesday, Dec. 10, episode of Sundial:
Brightline and Railroad Safety
The Associated Press recently published a report that found Brightline - soon to become Virgin Trains USA - has the most deaths per mile in the country. According to federal data obtained by AP most of the deaths have been suicides.
Shortly after at a transportation summit in Hollywood, Florida’s Department of Transportation announced a new safety education initiative on railroad crossings and a proposed bill that would fund a new South Florida Suicide Prevention and Outreach program. WLRN Broward County reporter Caitie Switalski was at the summit, has been following railroad deaths and joins Sundial to discuss.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. For the community help and crisis hotline for all South Florida counties, and the Keys, dial 2-1-1.
Author Carl Hiaasen Writes About Graduation Speeches
Miami Herald columnist and author Carl Hiaasen offers some tough advice for recent graduates in his latest book, "Assume the Worst: The Graduation Speech You'll Never Hear."
"You need to hear that you may think you're a great musician and you're going to grow up and become the next Bruce Springsteen. But you're not, you have a better chance of getting hit by lightning, " said Hiaasen on Sundial.
Hiaasen's book offers graduates who are entering the next stage on their life a "realistic" perspective of what comes ahead and it challenges some of the traditional wisdom given at commencement ceremonies. Sundial host Luis Hernandez chatted with Hiaasen at the Miami Book Fair in November.