Christian Peterson
ECB Publishing, Inc.
In nearby Suwannee County, sheriff's deputies on patrol recently were advised of two people who had been seen lying in the road in Branford between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. After some research, deputies of the Suwannee County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) believe the individuals were participating in a TikTok trend. The trend calls for teenagers to lay in the middle of a roadway late at night to film their short videos. While the action may seem fun and trendy, it is actually very dangerous and poses a serious risk to life and limb.
“Roads are designed for vehicles, not for people to lie on and meditate,” SCSO said in a Facebook post. “Even with proper visibility and attentive drivers, accidents can happen due to reduced reaction time or unexpected obstacles.”
Those who choose to participate in the trend are risking not only their own lives, but also the lives and emotional well-being of their family, the driver and the whole community. There are multiple ways the public can help, the first being for parents to talk to their teenagers. Parents are encouraged to discuss the risks of participating in dangerous online trends and challenges with their teenagers. Help encourage them to think before they choose to follow a trend so they can make the most informed responsible decision. Second, residents should share this information. Let friends, family, neighbors and the community know about this trend and others, along with the dangers they involve.
“Together, we can create awareness and prevent accidents from happening,” the SCSO states.
Finally, report incidents. Anyone who sees individuals engaging in dangerous behavior or anyone who sees suspicious activity should report it immediately. For local incidents, call the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office at (850) 997-2523 or, in case of an emergency, hang up and dial 911.