Safety experts fear the Snapchat speed filter is encouraging dangerous driving in New Jersey and across the U.S. The filter has been linked to car crashes over the last two years.
In late October, a 22-year-old Florida man lost control of his vehicle shortly after posting a 10-second Snapchat video showing him speeding at 82.6 mph and then 115.6 mph. He crossed the median of a Tampa highway and plowed into a minivan head on. The fiery collision killed the man and his 19-year-old female passenger. A woman and two children in the minivan also lost their lives.
In 2015, an 18-year-old woman was allegedly using the Snapchat speed filter while driving up to 113 mph in her Mercedes on a Georgia road. She later smashed into the back of a Mitsubishi, seriously injuring the car’s driver. Snapchat records indicate the woman was not using the app immediately before the crash, but safety advocates fear the speed filter encourages drivers to show off reckless driving to other app users. In a statement released to the media, Snapchat said consumers are strongly discouraged from using the speed filter while driving. A warning message appears the first time the speed filter is used. It also pops up each time speeds exceed 15 mph.
Speeding causes thousands of injuries and deaths each year in the U.S. People who have harmed by this type of negligent driving may want to meet with an attorney to discuss how best to seek compensation for their losses.
Source: CBS News, “Is the Snapchat speed filter encouraging reckless driving?“, Nov. 1, 2016