SAUGUS — The Council on Aging, at its meeting Monday, discussed ways to protect drivers pulling out of the Senior Center onto Central Street from getting into accidents.
Council member Gloria Johnson said that someone leaving the center recently got in an accident while he was pulling out of the parking lot, and that his insurance company declared him at fault for the accident.
Johnson said that when she leaves the center, although she is careful to look in all directions, cars driving down Central Street will speed up to try to beat drivers leaving the center.
“The minute they see you coming out, they pick up speed,” Johnson said.
Council Director Laurie Davis mentioned a similar accident when she was in a vehicle pulling out of the driveway to her house onto the street. The driver on the street had not been considered responsible for the accident because he had the right of way.
Johnson said that although drivers on Central Street have the right of way, in many cases they are breaking the speed limit when the accidents occur.
“We have to do something before somebody gets killed, because it’s going to happen,” Johnson said.
Davis mentioned that there are signs on Central Street warning that the Senior Center is nearby, and Council member Mary Dunlop suggested installing a blinking yellow light as an additional warning.
“They don’t read signs,” Dunlop said.
Council Chair Ralph Genzale said that he would talk to Police Chief Michael Ricciardelli on Tuesday about the possibility of installing a flashing light on the street and the correct procedure for it.
