Dangerous TikTok drivers flaunt press coverage

A TikTok user has proudly shared an LDRS article covering dangerous driving stunts posted on social media.

Kate Knowles - Local Democracy Reporter | Tuesday 21st March 2023 8:08am

West Midlands Police has confirmed it is “carrying out enquires” into dangerous drivers who have posted their stunts on social media.

Following a report by the LDRS last week, one such TikTok user has proudly shared a video of the article with the comment “haha front page”.

The video was shared by Twitter account Badly Parked Kings Heath on Saturday.

“One of the perpetrators has since shared a screen recording of this article on their TikTok bragging about being ‘front page'”, the account tweeted.

In response, West Midlands Walking and Cycling Commissioner Adam Tranter, quoted in the original coverage, commented: “They are laughing at us all.”

West Midlands Police were unresponsive to daily requests for comment on the issue last week until after the article was published.

A spokesperson issued the following statement: “We’re aware of the posts and are carrying out enquiries.

“We’d urge anyone with footage of dangerous driving to submit it via our dedicated portal here. https://secureform.nextbase.co.uk/”

The videos, which have prompted councillors to condemn the behaviour, show prestige vehicles like Audis, Rolls Royces and Ferrarris racing down the city’s streets, cutting corners and driving on the wrong side of the road.

These hair-raising stunts are seemingly showcased by the drivers themselves and proudly captioned with comments like “late night drive” and “#carsoftiktok”.

One post from 2021 features a comment which reads: “That stretch going star city way is the stretch to race [sic].”

The response by account Qumzx reads: “Trust me, love the roundabouts because of the caster, hard to take them flat out unless you commit [sic].”

Another video posted by the same account states: “If I flirted with girls as much as i flirt with death i probably wouldn’t still be single [sic].”

Speaking to the LDRS, an administrator for Badly Parked Kings Heath said: “These videos are recent but dangerous driving is something the people of Birmingham have lived through for decades.

“This is a problem of enforcement plain and simple.

“The drivers that have shared their illegal driving are a visible symptom of a deep-routed sickness of car culture in Birmingham.

“The drivers filmed and shared their illegal driving because they clearly didn’t fear any punishment coming from their behaviour even when it’s publicly shared.”

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