Following a traffic accident that killed seven people, including two police officers, the British government has pledged support for cracking down on videos of dangerous driving.

In northern England, a vehicle driving the wrong way on the A66 highway collided with a police car, killing five men aged 17 to 23 and two police officers. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has strongly criticized the dangerous driving videos circulating on social media and the acts that glorify them as 'reprehensible,' and has stated that the government will support authorities in cracking down on platforms such as TikTok.

No 10 backs 'tough action' if social platforms fail to remove dangerous driving posts after A66 crash | Social media | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/aug/24/minister-tells-social-media-firms-to-remove-posts-that-celebrate-dangerous-driving-after-a66-crash

UK government urges TikTok to remove viral videos of dangerous driving | AP News
https://apnews.com/article/britain-tiktok-videos-dangerous-driving-deaths-f7f32062f2093046ce71fd0703896d66

A66 crash latest: 12 arrests as police release more details about what happened before collision - YouTube


In the early morning of Saturday, August 22, 2026, a Volkswagen Passat carrying five people crashed into a patrol car that was on alert near Middlesbrough in northern England. A total of seven people died: five men in the Passat (two 23-year-olds), one 18-year-old, and two 17-year-olds), and two police officers in the patrol car.

Two Cleveland Police officers among seven killed in early morning A66 crash - YouTube


Prior to the accident, there had been multiple reports of the Passat being involved in a traffic dispute. Police pursued the vehicle for seven minutes, but called off the chase when it began driving the wrong way on the A66. The accident occurred just 10 seconds after the pursuit ended.

Sky News is reporting on security camera footage that captured the pursuit.

Footage appears to show police chase moments before fatal crash - YouTube


It has been revealed that at least one of the Passat's occupants posted a video on TikTok in May 2026 showing them speeding in an Audi and being chased by a police car. It has also been discovered that four of the five had a total of 37 prior convictions for offenses including drug use, assault, and robbery.

Videos filmed by occupants of vehicles engaging in dangerous driving have garnered significant attention on social media platforms such as TikTok, and concerns have been raised.

Following the accident, the Prime Minister's spokesperson has stated that the government will fully support Ofcom, the communications and broadcasting regulatory body, in its efforts to request social media platforms to remove videos of dangerous driving. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, currently visiting Ukraine, also spoke to reporters in Kyiv, criticizing those who glorify dangerous driving, saying they are 'reprehensible.' Defense Minister Luke Pollard has also stated that he will call on social media companies to remove posts that encourage dangerous driving.

Incidentally, a week before this traffic accident, a similar incident occurred on Highway 9 (M9) in County Kildare, central Ireland, when a vehicle driving in the wrong direction collided head-on with another vehicle, killing all five teenage boys in the vehicle that was hit. Two of the people in the vehicle that was hit are in critical condition, and two others are hospitalized with serious injuries.

Five teenagers killed after car driven on wrong side of Irish motorway | Ireland | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/16/five-teenagers-killed-and-four-other-people-injured-in-ireland-car-crash

Gardaí to receive pursuit training after M9 collision | RTÉ News - YouTube


Following the accident, Ireland's Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan pointed out that dangerous driving, such as driving the wrong way on highways, is becoming popular on social media not only in Ireland but elsewhere as well. He declared that social media companies have a great responsibility to prevent the spread of videos that glorify criminal acts and that they must remove such posts.

Five teens killed in M9 crash suspected of copying wrong-way trend 'HAPPENING ON SOCIAL MEDIA' - YouTube


Regarding the fatal accident on the A66, it has been reported that £750,000 (approximately 163 million yen) has been raised in donations for the families of the two police officers who died. Meanwhile, at the same time, a Volvo XC60, which was being driven dangerously in addition to the Passat, was seen crashing into a house. Both cars had forged license plates, and Cleveland police have concluded that the accident is linked to organized crime that has been occurring in Teesside, including Middlesbrough. They have arrested nine men and three women aged 19 to 61 on suspicion of involvement in organized crime, possession of firearms, and property damage, and are investigating.

Fund for families of fallen A66 police heroes passes £750,000 as public pay respects: Six remains in custody amid organized crime probe over crash that killed seven | Daily Mail Online
https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16077233/Fund-families-A66-police-custody-amid-organised-crime-probe-crash.html