'Wrong-Way Driving' and 'Rage-Baiting Cops' Under Fire After Wrong-Way Driving Surges 32% in Ireland

Horror crashes on the A66 in the UK and on the M9 motorway in Ireland this month have raised concerns over 'wrong-way driving' and 'rage-baiting cops' trends on social media. UK Defence Minister Luke Pollard urged social media companies to remove posts that glorify dangerous driving.

On Saturday, 22 August, PCs Matthew Blades and Tom Clough were killed when their marked police vehicle was struck head‑on by a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way on the A66 near Middlesbrough. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the circumstances of the collision.

Increase in Wrong-Way Driving

Also killed on the A66 were the Volkswagen occupants: Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, Michael Robert Cahill, 23, and Jacob Matusiak, 23. Police have not confirmed claims that the group were attempting a social-media trend.

In Ireland, 62 wrong-way driving incidents have been reported this year. According to the Transport Infrastructure Ireland's (TII) Motorway Operations Control Centre, the number shows a 32% increase compared to the same period last year.

On 16 August, five teenagers died in a head-on collision while moving in the wrong direction on the M9 motorway in Kildare. The second car had a family comprising three women and a seven-year-old boy who were all injured in the incident.

Authorities in both the UK and Ireland have raised concerns that the spate of wrong-way driving incidents may be linked to social media trends that rake in thousands of views.

In some cases, videos appear designed to provoke police officers. Critics warn that some TikTok users prioritise likes and views over safety, disregarding the consequences.

TikTok Summoned by Oireachtas Committee

Ireland's Oireachtas Committee invited TikTok representatives to discuss the platform's role in fatal crashes linked to wrong-way driving trends following the teenagers' death.

Labour TD and Media Committee Chair Alan Kelly called such a trend 'content that glorifies irresponsible and illegal activity.' However, the social media giant declined the invitation, saying it already has inquiries from the Irish police and media regulatory body.

'It would not be possible to appear before the committee in public session until this process is completed,' wrote Susan Moss, TikTok's head of public policy. 'The same issues arise in relation to other social media platforms and messaging services where instances of the content complained of are present. TikTok does not consider it appropriate to be the sole representative of the video-sharing industry in such circumstances.'

Kelly, for his part, said that TikTok was invited as 'one of the most influential social media platforms in Ireland.' He noted that it is the platform of choice among young people.

Pollard, in talking about the UK incident, linked the A66 crash to wider concerns about online content: 'It's one of the reasons they've argued against some of the regulations, saying they can police themselves. Well, this is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate it. Remove the content that celebrates dangerous behaviour on our roads. While that content is online, the government will be using the powers in the Online Safety Act to compel the platforms to take it down.'

Prime Minister Andy Burnham called the dangerous trends as 'doing something that's truly reprehensible.' TikTok's policies state that videos causing physical harm, including dangerous driving, are prohibited.