Minister urges removal of dangerous driving content
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The gist
UK minister Luke Pollard told social media firms to remove dangerous driving content after a fatal A66 crash killed seven. The government may use Online Safety Act powers to compel.
Background
The government's call follows a fatal crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough where a car driving the wrong way collided with a police vehicle, killing seven people including two officers. Reports suggest one of the young men involved had been filming dangerous driving for TikTok. The minister's remarks come amid public outcry in Ireland after a similar wrong-way crash killed five teenagers, prompting scrutiny of social media's role in promoting such content.
How it unfolded
- Aug 16, 2026Five teenagers killed in a head-on crash in County Kildare, Ireland, involving a car driving the wrong way on a motorway.
- Aug 23, 2026Seven people killed in a crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough when a car travelling the wrong way hit a police vehicle; reports emerge that one victim had been filming dangerous driving for TikTok.
- Aug 24, 2026Defence minister Luke Pollard tells social media companies to remove content glorifying dangerous driving, warning of Online Safety Act powers if they don't.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Minister Luke Pollard: 'We've communicated to those social media platforms... to take down that content' and 'I want to see social media companies step up.'
- Caution
- Pollard also said 'we all need to give the police time' to investigate, implying a measured approach alongside the takedown request.
Still unverified
Reports that at least one of the young men killed in the A66 crash had been involved in filming dangerous driving in TikTok videos are unconfirmed.