SAUGUS — The town of Saugus will receive $50,000 from the state to install flashing crosswalk signs in the community’s high-traffic areas.
Selectwoman Corinne Riley worked alongside state Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus) to obtain funding for the signs after she saw them in neighboring communities.
Riley said the town has been searching for years to find a way to combat the high number of pedestrian accidents that occur within its borders.
“When Donald asked me what we needed funding for, I said, ‘This has been an issue, let’s look into getting these lights,’” Riley said. “I didn’t even know they existed until I saw them in Melrose, and I thought they were a great concept.”
The funding will allow Saugus to purchase 10 pairs of flashing signs, which will be installed sometime this year in locations around the community that see frequent crashes.
“It needs to be done. I think that’s going to be a big safety help with people trying to cross,” Riley said. “They’ll make drivers aware that there are people actually in the crosswalk and not hidden behind another car.”
At least two pedestrians have been hit by cars in Saugus in 2021 alone, including a man in a wheelchair who was struck earlier this month while crossing the street in the area of 1500 Broadway.
Wong attributed Saugus’ unique location along the heart of Route 1 as the reason pedestrian accidents are so common for the town.
“I think some people use Saugus as a go-between,” Wong said. “They use it to bypass Route 1 and they think they’re being time-sensitive, but (risking) a life is not time-sensitive.”
Selectman Michael Serino, who was himself struck by a vehicle in Cliftondale Square in January, agreed.
“Saugus is a cut-through community. You’ve got people from Lynn and Revere cutting through to get to Route 1,” he said. “(The signs) will be helpful, and we’ll work with the police department to get recommendations from them based on their records about where the most dangerous areas are.”
Wong said he hopes the flashing signs will signal to drivers that they need to be careful when driving through the densely-settled community.
“It could be anyone’s parent, grandparent, child,” he said. “When state and local government get together, we can get things done.”
