by Dangerous Boasting on Social Media
Public roads are not race tracks, yet for some drivers, this distinction seems insignificant. A stark example of such irresponsible behavior became known in Greece, where an incident of extreme speed not only occurred but was also proudly published by the driver himself on TikTok. This turned out to be a major mistake.
The footage shows a powerful Audi car, likely a modified 8P-generation RS3 model, accelerating from a standstill and reaching a speed of 304 km/h (189 mph). This all happens on the Thessaloniki Ring Road, where the speed limit is 90 km/h (56 mph).
Recklessness, Captured on Camera
Even more threatening is the fact that the driver was steering the car with one hand while filming himself with a phone in the other. The caption to the video, apparently intended for amusement, read: “Do we have any Hondas that can go 300 km/h with one hand?” accompanied by emojis symbolizing silence.
Do we have any Hondas that can go 300 km/h with one hand?
Unsurprisingly, the video quickly went viral and caught the attention of the Greek police. Law enforcement managed to identify the driver, and criminal charges have been filed against him.
Serious Legal Consequences
While modern powerful cars are capable of such speeds, the law treats it much more strictly when human lives are at stake. In Greece, driving at 200 km/h (124 mph) or above is now considered a serious offense. Recent changes to national legislation have significantly increased penalties.
First-time offenders face a fine of 2,000 euros and a one-year driver’s license suspension. For a repeat offense, the penalty doubles. A third violation leads to another doubling of the fine and the suspension period.
According to reports, the person involved in this incident had previously posted similar high-speed content, which could cost him an 8,000-euro fine and a four-year license suspension.
A Systemic Problem and Countermeasures
This case is not isolated. Just last month, another driver was filmed speeding at 250 km/h (155 mph) in a Lamborghini Huracan near Athens. Over the past year, police have also recorded numerous cases of speeding over 200 km/h within city limits, including densely populated areas.
Greek authorities are responding by tightening control. In addition to regular patrols, new AI-powered cameras are being installed, capable of automatically detecting a range of violations: speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, using a smartphone while driving, and driving in the emergency lane.
As part of one recent initiative, cameras at traffic lights across Athens recorded over 10,000 cases of running a red light in just one month.
This story clearly demonstrates how social networks can become not only a platform for boasting but also a tool for law enforcement. The trend of publishing dangerous “feats” online is forcing a review of approaches to road safety. The implementation of modern surveillance technologies, on one hand, raises questions about privacy, and on the other, is a direct response to the increase in blatantly irresponsible behavior on the roads. The effectiveness of such measures as automatic cameras and strict financial sanctions will be assessed by accident statistics in the future, but they are already setting an important precedent for other countries facing similar problems.
