NEWARK, NJ — A growing number of social media influencers and YouTubers are filming high-speed stunts on New Jersey roads, weaving through traffic and reaching excessive speeds in cars and motorcycles to gain views—raising alarm among law enforcement and the public over road safety.
Videos posted across platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram show drivers engaging in risky behavior across major highways including the Garden State Parkway, Interstate 287, and Route 22. Footage often features motorcycles threading through cars at high speed, drivers running red lights, and influencers narrating their maneuvers while ignoring traffic laws.
Law enforcement officials and transportation advocates say the trend is putting lives at risk.
“These are not harmless stunts. They are turning public roads into racetracks,” one law enforcement officer replied to the video. “It only takes one wrong move for these videos to become evidence in a fatal crash investigation.”
The videos, often edited with music and dramatic commentary, routinely rack up tens of thousands of views. Some influencers even film multiple vehicles in convoy, coordinating maneuvers while surrounded by unsuspecting drivers on busy roads. Motorcyclists have been filmed riding between lanes, passing vehicles on shoulders, and reaching speeds well beyond posted limits.
State officials and residents express concern
The New Jersey Department of Transportation has not released specific figures related to social media-fueled traffic violations but confirmed that it is aware of the trend and monitoring its impact. Several police departments across the state have also reported an increase in citations tied to aggressive driving and speed racing incidents linked to online content.
Residents say the danger is noticeable.
“You see them flying down the highway, cameras mounted on their dashboards or helmets,” said another commenter. “They don’t care who else is on the road—they’re doing it for views.”
Some of the creators involved in these videos have large online followings and use their platforms to promote sponsorships and merchandise, further incentivizing the risky behavior. Others remain anonymous, obscuring license plates and avoiding identifying features in their videos.
Authorities are reminding the public that recording or participating in illegal road behavior can result in serious charges, including reckless driving, endangerment, and even criminal prosecution if someone is hurt or killed.
