And now, police say, they are trying to reach out to the minority community because many of its members are victims of these collisions. Greg Meyer, the head of the Valley Traffic Division. In a big, diverse community like L.A. where there are more than 100 different native languages spoken, it is a huge challenge. Groups such as Safe Moves, a nonprofit traffic safety education organization in Van Nuys, have been making inroads into the minority community, with programs at elementary and middle schools across Los Angeles County. In some poor cities, traffic is so bad that cars aren't moving at the speeds they are moving here.
Many people expect the cars to stop.
The Valley's long, wide streets are prime for speeding, and police often warn pedestrians that they should use extra caution when crossing, and obey traffic signs. They are under the impression that the pedestrian has the right of way, and they don't, when they're out of the crosswalk. The two were headed to a store to get milk. Witnesses told police the two had been crossing at midblock when they were struck by a metallic maroon Suzuki Sidekick, Gillett said. Huete died at a hospital.