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There's a renewed effort to reinforce barricades on flyovers and elevated roadways in the Austin area. This comes after Tuesday’s motorcycle crash where a biker plummeted 25 feet from an elevated section of Research Boulevard to the service road below.
That wasn't the first time a motorcyclist has fallen from an elevated road during a crash.
In fact, it's not even the first time it's happened this year in Austin, but family and friends of one victim hope it's the last. It wasn't long ago that Allie Shouse said goodbye to her friend Meg Brennan.
“You're talking to her one day and the next day you just hear she's gone,” said Shouse.
The hardest part for Shouse is knowing Brennan's death may have been preventable.
“She was just riding her motorcycle,” Shouse said.
In April, 28-year-old Meg was on her months-old motorcycle when a gust of wind caused her to lose control. She fell over the barricade on the U.S.183 flyover and plummeted 100 feet to her death.
“Going through that, your family going through that, this is just unnecessary,” said Shouse.
Then, December 12, Allie heard the news of another motorcyclist falling from an elevated roadway and all the pain she felt after losing her friend came flooding back in.
“Every time,” Shouse said.
A Texas A&M Transportation Institute study published in September 2016 reports seven percent of severe motorcycle crashes occur on ramps and flyovers. “Make the barriers a little higher, make them a little safer, they're just so low it's not safe for motorcyclists,” said Shouse.
Allie knows of about six bikers who have died on elevated roadways in the Austin area in just the last 10 years and she says enough is enough.
Which is why she's asking TxDOT to make changes no matter the cost. “They've got so many projects that are happening right now, and, I mean, some of them are just for convenience, this one's for safety, and it's definitely very important that we get this done,” Shouse said.
When asked whether TxDOT has considered installing taller barricades or even fencing along any of the flyovers, spokesman Christopher Bishop responded with this statement:
"It's a tragedy anytime someone dies on a Texas roadway. TxDOT's number one priority is safety and we strive to ensure our roadways are safe for travelers in every way practical. At this time, we do not have enough details about the incident to make a recommendation on barriers or other safety solutions. We do have staff looking into this issue.
While we will continue to do everything we can to keep motorists safe on and along our roadways, Texans themselves are the only ones who can truly ensure their own safety by obeying laws and making responsible decisions.”
Shouse just hopes construction crews can get safety measures put in place before anyone else gets hurt. “I don't want to see it happen again. I don't want anyone to experience that,” said Shouse.
There is a change.org petition to address the barricade issue.
Allie said she is also trying to find a state representative who will help her fight for changes.