By Robin GOLDSWORTHY

How to be good drivers and pedestrians were the goals of a presentation made on Friday, Jan. 23 by Girl Scout Cadet Vera Garabedian to students at Rosemont Middle School. Among those who crowded the school’s library were members of the Builders Club and California Junior Scholarship Foundation.

Realizing the high number of car accidents is what prompted Garabedian to make the presentation.

“I wanted to educate our eighth graders,” she said acknowledging that many of the students were looking to get their driver’s license when they turn 16. She added that she wanted to alert attendees before they become licensed drivers. 

“I want them to make every effort possible to be a good driver and pedestrian,” she said. “It’s a large problem on our roads.”

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for U.S. teens (ages 13-19), according to a 2022 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About 2,800 teens in the United States ages 13-19 were killed and about 227,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2020, according to the CDC and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Garabedian learned that walking is also dangerous in California with seniors and children being at the highest risk. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, in 2018 on California roadways 893 pedestrians were killed and more than 14,000 pedestrians were injured. 

Garabedian distributed booklets to students at Friday’s presentation. The booklets touched on many of the subjects that Garabedian reviewed when giving her presentation, including the importance of not blocking crosswalks when driving. To “drive” home her point (pun intended) she showed a slide of pedestrians in a crosswalk who climbed onto the hood of a car that was blocking the crosswalk.

“Not advisable,” Garabedian shared.

Lt. Vahe Abramyan of the Glendale Police Dept. was also on hand to hear Garabedian’s presentation and to answer questions from the students. Among the questions was one that centered on jaywalking.

“It’s not legal,” Lt. Abramyan responded.

Other questions focused on the legality of observing the speed limit when other cars seemed to be traveling at an excessive speed.

Lt. Abramyan replied that the even going one mile above the speed limit could result in a ticket being issued.

“Do your part,” he said, urging students to observe posted speed limits.

Garabedian and Lt. Abramyan also shared that using a phone while driving is against the law. Those under the age of 18 cannot drive around their friends either.

“Be a safe driver and pedestrian,” Garabedian urged. “You’re contributing to the safety of our city.”