A teenager is recovering in hospital after being injured during a social media challenge known as "ghosting".
Gardai say the trend is ongoing and involves someone lying on the road in front of oncoming traffic.
Gardaí are aware of a social media trend circulating online called ‘ghosting’, where persons to lie on a roadway and attempt to stop oncoming traffic. This activity is extremely irresponsible and poses a serious danger to those taking part and motorists: https://t.co/wtQ28wvmdU pic.twitter.com/5MTNxVhv3v
— Garda Info (@gardainfo) December 14, 2020
"Mind Boggling" And "Idiotic Behaviour"
This incident happened over the past few days in the south of the country.
Gardai say she was hurt while filming a ghosting video, which saw her lay down on the road with a sheet over herself in a bid to stop traffic.
The teenage girl sustained injuries to her back, torso and ankle, and required hospital treatment.
The Road Safety Authority's has not heard of other incidents like this.
Its communications manager Brian Farrell is urging other young people to remember how dangerous the roads can be:
"If it is actually happening, it's mind boggling."
"It's hard to believe that people would engage in such irresponsible, idiotic behavior."
"The road is not a playground, it's an incredibly dangerous place."
@ari_nep##рек ##ghosting ##ghostchallenge
Gardai Urge People To Be Seen On The Roads
Martin Guilfoyle is among the most followed Irish DJs on Tik Tok.
He says the ghosting social media challenge did not start off dangerous, but some people have taken it too far:
"You'd put a bed-sheet over your head and have your photo taken in public, in a funny or a quirky place."
"Then you'd post a montage of these funny pictures."
"I think someone just decided it'd be funny or hilarious to do it by lying down on the road and trying to stop cars."
Gardai are urging people not go engage in the trend and are asking parents to educate their children on the dangers of the game.
They say this activity is extremely irresponsible and poses a serious danger to those taking part in the ‘ghosting’ and motorists.
