Birmingham: Luxury car drivers posting TikTok videos of them speeding

Dangerous drivers in expensive cars are flagrantly posting videos of themselves speeding across Birmingham on social media, it has been revealed.

These videos show prestige vehicles like Audis, Rolls Royces and Ferrarris racing down the city’s streets, cutting corners and driving on the wrong side of the road. The hair-raising stunts are seemingly showcased by the drivers themselves and proudly captioned with comments like “late night drive” and “#carsoftiktok”.

One post from 2021 features a comment which reads: “That stretch going star city way is the stretch to race [sic].” The response by account Qumzx reads: “Trust me, love the roundabouts because of the caster, hard to take them flat out unless you commit [sic].” Another video posted by the same account states: “If I flirted with girls as much as i flirt with death i probably wouldn’t still be single [sic]”

Twitter account Badly Parked Kings Heath drew attention to some videos on Monday, reposting several filmed in the Balsall Heath, Moseley, and Small Heath areas. There are entire TikTok accounts dedicated to people bragging about their dangerous driving around Birmingham with impunity. Car culture is one of the biggest barriers to growth that we face as a city.

Speaking to the LDRS, an administrator for the account said: “These videos are recent but dangerous driving is something the people of Birmingham have lived through for decades.

“This is a problem of enforcement plain and simple. The drivers that have shared their illegal driving are a visible symptom of a deep-routed sickness of car culture in Birmingham. The drivers filmed and shared their illegal driving because they clearly didn’t fear any punishment coming from their behaviour even when it’s publicly shared.”

West Midlands Police is responsible for enforcing the Birmingham City Council injunction to ban street cruising which was reviewed by the Birmingham High Court in February and will continue until May 15 2023.

The LDRS has attempted to contact the police every day this week regarding the matter but has heard no comment. However, Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner, Tom McNeil contacted the LDRS today following a tweet about the story. He stated he will make an enquiry to seek their view on what can be done and whether there is actionable evidence.

Adam Tranter, West Midlands Cycling & Walking Commissioner, said: “Those who drive dangerously are a menace to society. We should not tolerate it and we need to clamp down on it. Videos of illegal driving in Birmingham, which could have easily killed or injured other road users, have been shared on TikTok and viewed hundreds of thousands of time.

“It is very frustrating that such blatant law-breaking – in which the perpetrators often willingly identify themselves – is seemingly going unnoticed by the Police. I have been in contact with West Midlands Police who have since made some initial inquiries on the vehicles, which I am grateful for.

“But it is clear there is real public concern on this issue but not enough resource to get a grip on it, especially with the increasing demand on third party submissions via dashcams.

“With this in mind, I will be writing to the Chief Constable and Police & Crime Commissioner to explore how this can be improved, including seeing if we can help by securing additional revenue funding to help in our mission to keep vulnerable road users safe.”

Several councillors have condemned the behaviour online and in conversations with the LDRS. Cllr Alex Yip (Cons, Sutton Wylde) said: “I also sit as a magistrate and am appalled by the videos people seemingly driving dangerously on built up areas and showing off which even if no one is injured could attract a custodial sentence.

“Council needs to do more to make clear this is neither smart or impressive. People are risking their futures and the safety of others by these idiotic manoeuvres. I have seen too often lives destroyed by driving band, injury and custody. There is nothing clever about driving like an idiot.”

Cllr Yip recalled supporting the grieving family of the late sisters, seven-year-old Lily, and six-year-old Shelley Wu, who were killed by a dangerous driver in Handsworth in 2015. He added: “More people need to know they are taking their futures and the lives of others into their hands for nothing more than a few likes and views.”

Cllr Izzy Knowles (Lib Dem, Moseley) said: “Stupid, dangerous driving is not a new thing, it has happened since the days of Mr Toad. Filming it is though & undoubtedly encourages even more. Council and police have powers and an injunction against street racing, and really need to step up with enforcement.”

Cllr Kerry Jenkins (Lab, Moseley) said: “I hope that when the council gets powers to enforce on moving traffic offences, like the dangerous driving that these videos are sharing, we can work with the police to ensure our roads are safer for everybody. Our roads are shared space and there are rules that everyone should be following.”

Cllr David Barker (Lab, Kings Heath and Brandwood) said: “The videos we are seeing on social media of deliberately dangerous driving are exactly why the Council needs the power to enforce on moving vehicle offences, rather than just parking.

“Currently, we are reliant on the police, who are themselves stretched beyond belief. I’m hopeful that once we have enforcement powers, we can crack down on drivers who, frankly, are putting our lives at risk. But it will require support and pressure from all councillors to challenge this entitled behaviour.”