Speed Safety Systems Will Help Make Glendale’s Streets Safer for Everyone 

As a Transportation and Parking commissioner and a resident who regularly walks, bikes and drives our streets, I strongly support the upcoming installation of speed safety systems in Glendale as part of the AB 645 pilot program. This innovative approach to traffic safety couldn’t come at a more crucial time for our city.

For over a decade, I have advocated for safer streets where everyone can travel without fear. While we’ve made progress, dangerous speeding remains one of the biggest threats to our community’s safety. According to California Office of Traffic Safety data from 2021, Glendale ranked 15th out of 59 comparable cities for speed-related crashes. Most alarmingly, Glendale ranked worst among these cities for crashes involving pedestrians over age 65 – a statistic that hits particularly close to home when many seniors walk to local markets, churches and community centers.

The data is clear: higher speeds mean deadlier crashes. When pedestrians are hit by a car traveling at 20 mph, they have a 90% chance of survival. At 40 mph, those odds drop to just 10%. For our elderly residents and families with young children, these statistics represent real risks to our neighbors.

We can learn from other mid-sized cities with similar programs. Communities like Spokane, Washington share Glendale’s commitment to walkable neighborhoods and have successfully adopted these safety measures, particularly in school zones and high-risk areas. In Spokane, during September 2024, its speed safety system recorded 1,922 violations – down from 2,544 during the same period in 2023.

Some critics argue that speed safety systems are just another revenue source. However, this program isn’t about money – it’s about saving lives. The goal is to change driver behavior and create a culture of safer streets. The evidence is compelling: after New York City implemented comprehensive traffic safety measures in 2014, traffic injuries decreased by 30% compared to surrounding areas without such programs.

As someone who regularly walks Glendale’s quieter streets, I’ve experienced firsthand how peaceful it can be when people drive at safe speeds. Our downtown area shows what’s possible when we prioritize people over speed. This program can help extend these benefits to other parts of our city.

Right now, Glendale is seeking community input for the most effective locations for these systems. I encourage all residents to visit the Glendale Speed Safety Program link to share their experiences and help select locations where speed safety systems would have the greatest impact.

Transportation challenges in Glendale have reached a critical point. But with these challenges comes an opportunity to implement innovative solutions that enhance our community’s character. Speed safety systems are just one tool in creating a more livable, people-oriented city. Combined with better street design, they can help transform Glendale into a model for sustainable mobility that protects our most vulnerable residents.

The AB 645 pilot program signals that Glendale is serious about creating streets that work for everyone. As the program moves forward, myself and my fellow volunteers from Walk Bike Glendale will continue advocating for comprehensive safety improvements.

For those interested in this initiative, I invite you to follow Walk Bike Glendale or attend Transportation and Parking Commission meetings. Let’s work together for safer streets. After all, we all share the same goal: getting home safely to our loved ones.

This program isn’t just about safety – it’s about creating the kind of city we want to live in … a city where parents feel comfortable letting their kids walk to school … where seniors can safely cross the street … where everyone can get around without fear. That’s the Glendale we’re working toward and speed safety systems are an important step in making this vision a reality.

Alek Bartrosouf
Glendale

Alek Bartrosouf is a Glendale Transportation and Parking commissioner, steering committee member of Walk Bike Glendale, a Transportation Planner by profession, and lifelong Glendale resident.