Birmingham's former roads chief, Majid Mahmood, has called for a crackdown on laughing gas amid renewed public concern over deadly crashes involving mass casualties. Mahmood, who declared a road safety emergency in 2024 while serving as the city's transport boss under the then-Labour administration, highlighted nitrous oxide use among young drivers as a major concern.
Speaking as an Independent councillor, Mahmood cited the 2023 case where 19-year-old Thomas Johnson killed three friends after inhaling the gas while driving at 100mph. "I am very concerned about the growing culture of dangerous driving being filmed and shared on social media," Mahmood said. "I also believe we need to look at some of the wider factors contributing to dangerous driving in our communities."
Recent tragedies and social media's role
The calls come after recent tragedies including seven deaths near Middlesbrough when a Volkswagen Passat drove the wrong way down the A66, and five teenagers killed on Ireland's M9 motorway. Several victims had previously posted reckless driving videos on social media platforms like TikTok.
Mahmood has joined politicians condemning social media's role in amplifying dangerous driving videos. Better Streets for Birmingham warned that social media "can undoubtedly play a role in normalising and trivialising dangerous driving." The group cited local incidents including illegal street racing in Small Heath organised via TikTok and the fatal 2022 Oldbury car meet arranged through Snapchat.
Local concerns and calls for action
Stourbridge MP Cat Eccles described speeding as a "long-standing issue" in her area, particularly during summer months when drivers use ring roads as "racetracks." Authorities are now calling for coordinated action between government, police and social media companies to tackle the growing trend of online dangerous driving content.
Mahmood's comments reflect a broader push for measures addressing both the direct causes of dangerous driving and the cultural factors that encourage it. The former transport boss's emphasis on nitrous oxide points to a specific substance already linked to fatal incidents, while his reference to social media highlights the role of online platforms in spreading reckless behaviour.
Next steps for road safety
The coordinated action sought by authorities would involve multiple stakeholders, from government regulators to police enforcement and social media companies. No specific policy proposals have been announced, but the calls signal growing pressure for a multi-pronged approach to road safety that includes both substance control and content moderation.
