Merced has an opportunity right now to do something meaningful and overdue for public safety.
I am a Merced resident who was recently involved in a serious car accident. Speed was not the cause. Poor lighting, limited visibility, and unsafe street conditions were. It happened at a location many locals know well, and it easily could have been worse.
I am far from alone. Many residents have their own stories of crashes, near misses, and daily anxiety navigating streets that were not designed for the people who use them.
That is why the recent Merced City Council discussion around traffic speeds was concerning. The focus leaned heavily on outdated speed rules without adequately accounting for real-world conditions such as lighting, sightlines, pedestrian activity, or crash history. These factors matter. Ignoring them leaves people vulnerable.
California already recognizes this. State laws such as AB 43, AB 413, AB 1014, and AB 1938 give cities the authority to set safer speeds and design streets that prioritize human life. A Vision Zero ordinance would allow Merced to fully use these tools in a coordinated, defensible way.
Vision Zero is not about blaming drivers or writing more tickets. It is about accepting a simple truth: traffic deaths are preventable. Cities across California have adopted Vision Zero to guide safer street design, data-driven crash analysis, improved lighting and visibility, and better protection for pedestrians and cyclists. Merced could become the 17th California city to take this step.
A Vision Zero commitment would mean mapping high-risk corridors, studying crash data alongside on-the-ground conditions, and prioritizing safety where people actually live, walk, bike, shop, and go to school. It would give our police department and planners a clear framework to act proactively instead of reactively.
This is a new year, and the same safety issues persist. City leadership has the chance to show that Merced values people over outdated standards and preventable harm.
I urge the City Council to agendize the adoption of a Vision Zero ordinance and invite public participation in shaping a safer future for our streets. Many residents are ready to help.
RoseMarie “Rosie” Campagna is a Merced resident who brings lived experience and a practical, on-the-ground perspective to community safety and infrastructure issues.