Austin Police ramps up traffic enforcement on Ranch Road 2222 amid safety concerns

In response to complaints from residents who live around Ranch Road 2222, the Austin Police Department is now conducting targeted traffic enforcement in the area until further notice.

"Heading out to the lake and that kind of thing, it's a pretty drive." Neighbor K. Rochelle Bass said.

But 2222 is also a dangerous one.

"It's very windy," Another neighbor, Evelyn Hernandez, said. "It goes up and down."

Before guardrails were put up a decade ago, Bass says cars would literally crash into her yard.

"We had a guy in the backyard, you know, unconscious in his car," Bass said. "It was very scary."

And Hernandez says she's even witnessed a fatal motorcycle accident outside her subdivision.

"He was trying to weave through the traffic, and she hit him, and it was pretty bad," Hernandez said. "He was wearing a helmet, but I don't think it mattered."

Both women say recently, speed on 2222 has been a huge issue.

"Motorcycles have been racing up and down that and it's really loud," Bass said.

It's not just annoying, but concerning.

"It scares me quite a bit," Hernandez said. "I do have a teenager learning to drive, and it's pretty nerve-wracking to think about."

To her relief, Austin Police announced this week it would be conducting targeted enforcement of 2222 between 360 and MoPac until further notice, going after aggressive drivers, speeders, and other traffic violators.

"I think it's great," Hernandez said. "Finally, to be honest with you."

Due to the staffing shortage, A.P.D. no longer has a traffic unit, but in a statement says this special operation is in direct response to complaints from neighbors.

"I figured that, you know, Austin P.D. might not have the funding to really devote time to traffic violations, but I'm glad that they can," Bass said. "I'm glad that they are."

Hernandez just hopes the increased police presence will make people think twice and slow down.

"They'll know that this is not a racetrack, that this is not their playground, that they can just do whatever they want," Hernandez said.