Distracted Driver Epidemic in Glendale?

A 20-year-old woman was arrested yesterday after a three-month investigation showed she was texting when she drove through a stop sign and struck and killed an 80-year old Glendale resident. The arrest prompted Glendale mayor Ara Najarian to voice concern that Glendale is suffering from a "distracted driver epidemic," according to Glendale News-Press.

Over 2,300 traffic collisions have occurred in Glendale in the past year. 660 resulted in injuries, six were fatal, and sixty-four of these reported collisions involved pedestrians.

At a city council meeting last night, Najarian said "Driving is more than getting from one place to another, it's also about understanding that you control a 2-ton weapon."

While Glendale wrestles with how to lessen distracted driving and keep its residents safe, the arrested driver, Ani Voskanian, has been released from jail after posting a $50,000 bond. She is scheduled to be arraigned on December 20th.