Social Media Firms Told to Remove Videos of Dangerous Driving
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
In the wake of a recent tragedy, social media companies have been urged by the UK government to take down videos celebrating dangerous driving. This call comes after a viral trend featuring individuals engaging in hazardous road maneuvers.
Defence Minister Luke Pollard expressed his concerns on BBC Breakfast: "Social media companies could take that down today, adjust their algorithms so it's not celebrated."
A tragic accident on Saturday resulted in the deaths of two police officers, PC Tom Clough and PC Matthew Blades, when a car traveling the wrong way on a dual carriageway collided with their patrol vehicle near Middlesbrough. All five passengers in the other car were also killed. A TikTok account believed to belong to one of the victims, Malakai Saddington, shared videos showcasing dangerous driving practices that have since been removed.
Pollard emphasized that the government has already communicated with social media platforms regarding the removal of such content. He pointed out that these companies are well-aware of the material on their sites and how their algorithms work. Furthermore, he suggested a financial incentive for posting outrageous content to gain views.
TikTok has confirmed its policies prohibit dangerous driving content and is actively removing videos and accounts that violate these rules. The company revealed that between January and March 2026, they proactively removed 99.8% of content breaking these policies.
Pollard also stressed the importance of focus while driving, stating, "It's absolutely idiotic for anybody to be doing anything other than being completely 100% focused on the road when they're behind the wheel of a vehicle." He added that filming oneself or others engaging in dangerous driving is both ridiculous and harmful.
The incident occurred on the A66 near Middlesbrough, resulting in the deaths of six individuals.