Skateboarders Are Posting Videos Of Themselves Riding On Busy Freeways
Authorities are worried the stunt will become a trend after pro skater Nakel Smith posted a video of himself doing a trick on a traffic-clogged freeway in California.
Via instagram.com
Few things are more Californian than freeways and skateboards, but videos of skateboarders riding among the traffic has authorities worried someone could get hurt.
The videos show skateboarders grabbing on to other vehicles, doing tricks in the middle of traffic, and trying to cut across lanes.
No one has been cited or reported injured, but the California Highway Patrol on Tuesday told BuzzFeed News they are looking into the videos and trying to put a stop to it before it becomes a trend.
Several videos on Instagram were already posted with the hashtag #freewaychallenge.
"It's something that's unsafe, and shouldn't go viral," CHP Sgt. Jose Nunez told BuzzFeed News. "It should be stopped."
The CHP learned about the videos recorded on Los Angeles and San Diego freeways on Monday after one was posted on Instagram by professional skater Nakel Smith was like by more than 12,0000 users.
Smith is seen in front of car and doing a quick trick before jumping back into the car laughing.
The freeway appears to be near downtown Los Angeles, where daytime traffic is often crawling.
Since then, Nunez said officers have become aware of other videos in Los Angeles and San Diego areas springing up in social media — most often during rush-hour times.
In the videos, the skateboarders are seen jumping out of cars quickly and riding in front, where they are recorded. Most of the videos are short, and traffic appears to be at near standstill.
Still, Nunez said the skateboarders are putting themselves and others in danger considering some drivers could be distracted and not see them in the busy traffic.
"These freeways specifically are not designed for bicycling or skateboarding," he said. "Even though it doesn't appear like high speeds, we sometimes have distracted drivers in vehicles of all sizes."