First ROT Rally Fatality in 4 Years Leaves Bikers Reeling

The ROT Rally is one of the biggest motorcycle rallies of the year, hosted annually in Austin, Texas. The last few ROT Rallies have been without any motorcycle fatalities. However, this year, the first biker in four years was killed while riding around Austin.

ROT Rally Incidents

On Saturday, June 10, a 28-year-old man and his pregnant passenger were riding on FM 973 when a drunk driver in a pickup truck smashed into them and their bike. The man died at the scene and the woman was taken to the hospital with critical life-threatening injuries. Tragically, the woman lost her child soon after.

The rally was not without other incidents. On the first day of the rally, EMS responded to four incidents, treated four patients and took two more to the hospital. On the second day, medics responded to three incidents, treated two patients and transported two to hospitals.

ROT Rally organizers have credited an extensive safety campaign for the drastic reduction in biker deaths these last four years. They began working with the Texas Department of Transportation four years ago on a public awareness campaign. The campaign utilizes slogans, billboards and wristband ties to promote awareness.

The fatal ROT Rally accident shows that more work is needed to raise awareness of motorcyclists on the road, who are at higher risk of death and catastrophic injury in accidents than people in cars due to the relative lack of protection afforded by motorcycles.