Residents of west Austin's winding FM 2222 have voiced concerns over a spike in reckless driving, particularly by motorcyclists, prompting a heightened police response in the area. According to KXAN, community members have reported an uptick in high-speed joyrides, where groups of motorcycles have been seen racing and running red lights, a dangerous trend amplified by social media attention.
Tom Rogers, a long-term resident of FM 2222, told KXAN, "During the pandemic, we started getting groups, 2, 3, 4, 5 and as many as 10, racing up and down 2222. And while it’s a sound issue for many of the people who have complained in the neighborhood, it’s also a safety issue, in my opinion, for the people driving on 2222." Rogers' comments underscore the dual threat of noise disturbance and the grave risk of collisions along this scenic yet perilous stretch of road.
Recent years have witnessed serious accidents in this corridor, including a deadly motorcycle crash in 2023, and the death of University of Texas football legend Cedric Benson and passenger Aamna Najam in a motorcycle incident in 2019. In a rather grim reminder of the danger, Rogers noted the regular sightings of motorcycle parts, aftermaths of yet unreported crashes, strewn across the roadway.
In response to the community's pleas, Austin Police have committed to an enduring clampdown on hazardous driving behavior in the area. As per an article by KVUE, the enforcement initiative covers Ranch Road 2222 between the MoPac Expressway and State Highway 360, with a focus on catching speeders and other offenders in the act.
Rogers expressed a cautious optimism about the new police efforts stating, "We’re very hopeful. And I think the litmus test will be, what does it look like tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday? Which are the big days for the motorcycles to ride on 2222," as the weekend typically brings heightened activity. With the mapped enforcement area now public, local law enforcement's resolve is clear: they are unwavering in their dedication to ensuring safer roads for all who traverse the hilled vistas of west Austin.
