Five-Year-Old Tolling Fan Has Great Reason to Give Thanks

As toll road users get ready to hit the road for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday weekend, we bring you the story of five-year-old Sebastian Vartanian of Newport Coast, California, who came up with his own unique way of giving thanks.

When his birthday rolled around in late October, Sebastian asked his mom, Briana Vartanian, for a party theme related to Orange County’s toll roads. The story last week in the Los Angeles Times makes Sebastian sound like every tolling agency’s dream customer…if only he were old enough to own a driver’s license.

“For months, Sebastian has been obsessed with maps, road signs, interstates, and the toll roads, which his parents drive multiple times each day between their Newport Coast home and his preschool at St. Margaret's Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano,” the Times reports.

“He also has his preferred route to school. He requests that his mother take the 73 to the 5 instead of driving Coast Highway because he believes it saves time. He often gently reminds her from the back seat with his stopwatch in hand.”

‘It’s Worth It, Mom’

When his mom reminds him that toll roads cost money, Sebastian comes back with an answer that would qualify him for a seat at a Congressional committee hearing…if only he were old enough to vote or testify.

"It's OK, Mom,” he says. “It's worth it."

Briana Vartanian says her son is obsessed with highway infrastructure…and she doesn’t make that sound like a bad thing. "It's a lot of fun when we drive because he points out all the new signs he sees,” she told the Times. “He loves it. He can tell you every freeway across our county."

And this isn’t the first themed birthday party Sebastian has requested. Last year, it was wind turbines. "He's definitely an old soul," his mom said. "His fascination and interests are definitely not the norm for a 5-year-old."

Receiving Thanks from an Avid Fan

Briana Vartanian said she spent a couple of months planning this year’s birthday bash. “A family friend created a large toll booth out of balloons with signs pointing to the FasTrak and cash lanes (which no longer exist),” the Times reports.

Then the Transportation Corridor Agencies got into the act, supplying branded Frisbees and ChapSticks as party favors. “About 50 party guests ate cupcakes with toll roads toppers and drew their own versions of the blue and red Interstate 5 signs to help Sebastian celebrate his passion for transportation.”

So if you’re about to set out on a holiday road trip, you’ll want to do all the usual things. Plan your route, fill up your gas tank, check your tire pressure, pack your emergency kit, and put away your phone before you get behind the wheel, but be sure it is powered up for any emergencies.

But this year, there’s something else. Think of Sebastian Vartanian with his stopwatch, and spare a kind word for the roads that will get you to your destination in time for a relaxed Thanksgiving meal. Because, when you absolutely have to get there, take the toll road: “It’s OK, Mom. It’s worth it.”

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

For more great reasons to give thanks, click here and have a look at IBTTA’s SmartMove tolling success stories.

Photo by Briana Vartanian via Los Angeles Times