Videos depicting dangerous driving practices, including high-speed chases and driving on sidewalks and the wrong side of the road, are readily available on social media platforms. At least one young person who died in a recent fatal crash in Middlesbrough was featured in multiple TikTok videos showcasing such behavior.
TikTok's policies prohibit content that could lead to physical harm, and the company has removed videos identified by BBC Verify. Cleveland Police are conducting a large-scale investigation into the events preceding the fatal crash. Authorities have stated there is no current evidence to suggest that the activities filmed on Friday night and Saturday morning were specifically intended for TikTok.
BBC Verify has identified dozens of videos across social media platforms that illustrate dangerous driving. The investigation by Cleveland Police aims to uncover criminality associated with the events leading up to the fatal collision.