State senate candidates at Malden forum say Vision Zero is achievable with design and funding changes

Three Democratic candidates for the state senate told a local transportation forum that a year without traffic fatalities is attainable if the state pairs policy with funding and street design changes.

"I do believe we can get to a Vision 0," said Ryan O'Malley, pointing to community projects such as the Spa Pond Brook Greenway and calling for traffic-calming measures over expanded policing. "We have to be designing our roads to match the expected behavior that we want." O'Malley also highlighted grant work he has led and urged investment in separated shared-use paths.

Kate Lipurgarabedian said two legislative levers—money and state frameworks—are central. She cited the Complete Streets grant program and a recent state law defining vulnerable riders and safe passing distances, and urged continued funding for mini-high platforms and other accessibility measures. "We can build the roads, we can create the driving culture that ensures that pedestrians and bicyclists feel safe every day," she said.

Carrie McDonald emphasized equity-focused, data-driven interventions. "We should allocate it based on where there are hot spots," she said, arguing that crash data should guide investments in speed humps, crosswalks and helmet education in schools.

The forum moderator opened the topic with statewide figures from the 2025 WAC Massachusetts crash report — roughly 354 traffic deaths and at least 76 pedestrian deaths — to frame the stakes for the district. Candidates agreed that reducing fatalities will require both infrastructure changes and coherent state funding programs that prioritize safety outcomes.