Social media and dangerous driving: a growing risk for young drivers

Do social media influence how young people behave on the road? A recent study by the Institut Vias highlights a concerning link between exposure to videos showing dangerous driving and risky behaviour behind the wheel.

Here is what you need to know — and the legal consequences in traffic law.

📊 Frequent exposure to risky content

The study, conducted among 1,000 young people aged 18 to 26, found that:

13% see dangerous driving videos almost every day
24% see them every week

These videos are mainly shared on:

TikTok
Instagram

They often show:

excessive speeding,
street racing,
running red lights,
ignoring railway crossings,
dangerous driving filmed for entertainment or social recognition.

Young men are more frequently exposed to this type of content than young women.

🔁 The algorithm effect: a vicious circle

Social media platforms rely on automated recommendations:

watching or liking a video leads to similar content,
users are increasingly exposed to risky behaviour,
such behaviour may appear normal or socially rewarded.

This normalisation of danger is a major concern for road safety experts.

🚗 More exposure… more offences

The study shows a clear correlation:

Young people who see more of these videos report more risky behaviour.
They also receive more traffic fines.

A striking finding:

Young people who received more than five fines in one year were exposed to such content more than ten days per month.

However, no direct causal link has been proven. It is possible that individuals already attracted to risky driving actively seek this type of content.
Nevertheless, researchers believe that repeated exposure can change attitudes towards risk and make dangerous behaviour more acceptable.

⚖️ Legal consequences under traffic law

The normalisation of risky driving may lead to serious offences, such as:

significant speeding,
running red lights,
racing on public roads,
dangerous or aggressive driving.

These offences may result in:

substantial fines,
driving licence suspension or revocation,
mandatory re-examinations,
appearance before the police court,
more severe penalties in case of accidents or repeat offences.

In some situations, videos posted on social media may also be used as evidence.

🎯 A priority for the authorities

The Federal Minister of Mobility, Jean-Luc Crucke, has confirmed plans to:

strengthen prevention among young drivers,
use social media as awareness tools,
intensify the fight against repeat offenders.

The objective: reduce road deaths by 50% by 2030.

✔️ Key takeaways

📱 Many young drivers are exposed to dangerous driving content online
🔁 Algorithms reinforce this exposure
🚗 A correlation exists between exposure and traffic offences
⚖️ Legal consequences can be serious and long-lasting

Responsible driving remains essential, regardless of online trends or content.

📩 Are you facing a traffic law issue (offence, speeding, licence suspension, revocation or police court proceedings)? Feel free to contact me for personalised and effective legal assistance.