Letter: City of Glendale needs to address traffic problems

I’ve seen the rankings over the years on the safety of driving in Glendale, and what I experienced over the holidays on Brand Boulevard was eye-opening. I’ve seen numerous articles in the Glendale News-Press on pedestrian incidents in Glendale and about the Glendale Police Department conducting numerous “stings” where motorists were cited for failing to stop properly for pedestrians in the crosswalks. Thumbs up for this, but there is more work to be done.

I had time off for the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. On numerous occasions, I happened to be on Brand Boulevard in the afternoon. Watch out! The intersection one block south of the 134 Freeway is a nightmare. The city could make a fortune if officers were placed at the intersection at about the time the rush hour afternoon traffic begins and citations were given for those cars impeding cross traffic when the lights change, to cars stopping traffic so they can get to the right lane to go east on the 134 Freeway. Unbelievable.

I sat at the light twice during the week and each time I was cut off by no less than six drivers pushing their way in to get into the right lane. At one point I happened to look to the car in the lane to the right of me, we made eye contact, and both of us rolled our eyes as if to say, “Help me get out of here alive!”

It’s 2014, whether we are individuals, businesses, or cities, we all need to focus on something for the year. City of Glendale, please fix the traffic problems. I have been a resident of the city for almost my entire life (I’m 50 years old), so I have seen a lot change over the years. Police Chief Robert Castro, I ask you to deal with this problem.

Patricia Moore
Glendale