Following a pattern of dangerous driving trends online, the Government demands more stringent online safety guidelines, threatening to take action themselves via the Online Safety Act.
Dangerous Driving Trends
On 22 August 2026, a car crash on the A66 led to the deaths of seven individuals, with reports that it may be the result of a dangerous social media trend encouraging reckless driving. The car drove on the opposite side of a dual-carriageway and crashed into a police vehicle near Middlesbrough.
The reports that the driver of this car has a history of filming TikToks of him driving recklessly have brought up concerns over the sort of content that is not only allowed to be posted, but which gains virality. Defence Minister, Luke Pollard, told the BBC that he ‘want[s] to see social media companies step up’, that their promises to ‘police themselves’ needs to be acted upon – ‘Remove the content that celebrates dangerous behaviour on our roads.’
This comes alongside the similar accident in County Kildare, Ireland, less than a week earlier on 16 August 2026. There, five teenagers were likewise killed due to a collision when they were driving on the wrong side of the motorway. Although unconfirmed to be in relation to a social media trend, its proximity to another crash of the same nature a few days before has brought forward concern.
Irish Justice Minister, Jim O’Callaghan, commented that ‘social media companies have a big responsibility in respect of this … They emphasise in their codes of practice that they will not allow any postings that glorify criminal behaviour. Regrettably, that hasn’t been happening’.
What can be done?
O’Callaghan has promised to introduce a new law against driving on the wrong side of the road intentionally to curb this trend, but indicates that such behaviour needs to stop being rewarded in the first place on social media sites like TikTok. In a similar effort, Pollard emphasised that if actions were not taken to prevent such content going viral, the UK Government would use the Online Safety Act to remove such videos themselves. To see our media services page, Media Law.
TikTok said it was actively monitoring the situation and removing videos of a similar content matter, whilst Meta said it restricted users under 18 from seeing certain unsuitable content, such as dangerous driving, on Facebook and Instagram. Notably, Meta’s position seems less concerned with removing the content, as with obscuring it from the view of minors.
What options are available?
As Zoe Kleinman, Technology and AI editor for the BBC, emphasises, ‘According to the Online Safety Act, videos showing activity that is against the law, are not automatically illegal as well.’ Under s.59(3) of the Act, it is clear that the content of the video itself has to amount to an offence – that is, it is illegal to possess, or distribute the video.
However, ss.60–62, which concern content harmful to children, may provide Pollard with the grounds to take down harmful videos. One clause provides strong grounds:
- s.62(8): content that ‘encourages, promotes or provides instructions for a challenge or stunt highly likely to result in serious injury to the person who does it or to someone else.’
If a connection is made between these road incidents and a trend on social media, it is likely that Pollard and the Ministry of Defence will try to enforce videos be taken down via s.62(8). The question is whether the MoD by itself is granted the right to authorise such video takedowns as Pollard suggests. The 2023 Online Safety Act largely centres on holding social media firms responsible for following these guidelines, but does not devolve power to the Ministry of Defence to take such steps if they fail to do so.
Ultimately, whether the MoD will take such actions is unclear, but would make for a decisive legal test of the Online Safety Act’s intentions, purpose, and usage.
How Taylor Hampton Can Help
If you have been affected by these events, or any related social media influenced violence, our Media and Personal Injury teams are here to offer guidance and support. You can contact us at enquiries@taylorhampton.co.uk to set up a private meeting to discuss your circumstances. Alternatively you can call on 0207 427 5970.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to provide general information only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. The law and procedural rules may change, and specific advice should always be obtained based on the facts of your individual case.