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The government has confirmed it has already instructed social media platforms to remove content that glorifies dangerous driving. Pollard highlighted that these companies are fully aware of the material hosted on their sites and understand how their algorithms function. He noted the financial incentives at play, explaining that users often post sensational content to garner more views, which can sometimes translate into monetary gain.
A spokesperson from Downing Street condemned the glorification of reckless driving as “utterly disgraceful,” emphasizing the importance of social media platforms adhering to their legal obligations by removing such videos. The spokesperson further stated that Ofcom has full government support to take action against any platforms that fail to comply. Under the Online Safety Act, while video content depicting illegal acts is not automatically illegal, social networks are responsible for determining if flagged content violates the law and acting appropriately.
TikTok has stated that its policies prohibit content posing significant physical harm, including dangerous driving footage. The company reported it actively removes videos and accounts breaching its rules, mentioning the deletion of an account believed to belong to Saddington. From January to March 2026, TikTok removed 99.8% of violating content proactively. However, the removal of videos may be due to violations of TikTok’s terms rather than the content being deemed illegal under the law. The Online Safety Act does allow for exceptions, though these can be complex to interpret; for example, graphic content involving death isn’t necessarily illegal unless associated with terrorist groups or accessible to children. The BBC has also reached out to Meta and X for their comments.
The issue gained attention after a fatal crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough where officers PC Tom Clough and PC Matthew Blades lost their lives. The incident involved a Volkswagen Passat that the police had been pursuing moments before the collision. All five passengers of the Passat also died, including Saddington and four others aged between 17 and 23. Previously, a video from Saddington’s TikTok account showed what appeared to be a police pursuit, with the car driving recklessly across footpaths and parkland areas in Middlesbrough. Another clip featured a passenger smoking during a high-speed joyride, with a speedometer reading 100mph, while a different video showed a car set on fire. These videos have since been deleted. Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey condemned the behavior, calling it “absolutely idiotic” to lose focus when driving and labeling the act of filming such conduct as “ridiculous” and “incredibly dangerous.”
Earlier in the month, a separate tragic event occurred in County Kildare, Ireland, where five teenagers died in a head-on collision after driving the wrong way on a motorway. The crash involved a family car believed to be en route to the airport, with several people, including children, hospitalized with severe injuries. Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly described the incident as “irresponsible and dangerous driving,” criticizing the motivation behind such reckless acts as often driven by social media attention. Pollard echoed this call for greater responsibility when speaking on BBC Radio 5Live, urging social media platforms to increase efforts in removing content celebrating hazardous road behavior. He framed it as a crucial moment for these companies to prove they can self-regulate, while the government stands ready to enforce the Online Safety Act to take down harmful content. Ofcom reaffirmed its commitment to protect children by minimizing their exposure to violent content and announced it launched an investigation into TikTok’s compliance with child safety duties, promising to act where companies fall short
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