Lorraine Williamson
Two young men are under investigation in Gran Canaria after footage of them performing high-speed drifting stunts on public roads went viral on social media. The Guardia Civil has now handed the case to the court in Santa María de Guía.
The driving manoeuvres—known as “drifting”—involved intentionally skidding around bends at high speed, often in both directions along winding routes. The dangerous exhibition not only put the drivers’ lives at risk but also endangered other road users. In several instances, the vehicles veered off the road entirely, crashing into road signs and smashing through metal safety barriers.
Dangerous driving shared online
The case came to light after videos of the stunts were widely shared online. One of the suspects, described as an active presence on motoring-related social media channels, is believed to have filmed, edited, and distributed the content himself. This self-promotion ultimately led to the pair being traced.
Following a detailed analysis of the footage, Guardia Civil officers from the Las Palmas Traffic Subsector’s Investigation and Analysis Group were able to pinpoint the vehicles involved, identify the drivers, and confirm the precise locations and times of the incidents.
A common risk on Spanish roads
While drifting is an extreme example, dangerous driving takes many forms—and it’s something many of us encounter far too often. Just this morning, while driving on a two-lane stretch of road near Marbella, where the speed limit fluctuates between 80 and 120km/h, I found myself in the outside lane already exceeding the limit slightly. The inside lane was full, and a car in front of me was closer than the recommended stopping distance. Even in that tight situation, another driver appeared behind me, tailgating aggressively and pressuring me to move over—despite there being nowhere to go. Had I braked or even eased off the accelerator, the result could have been catastrophic.
This kind of behaviour is increasingly common. It’s not limited to high-profile drifting stunts—it’s present in daily commutes, on motorways, and around town centres, often with little regard for safety or consequences.
Legal consequences for risky road behaviour
The Guardia Civil has now submitted its findings to the duty court in Santa María de Guía. The individuals involved may face charges of reckless driving offences, which can carry significant penalties under Spanish traffic law, including potential driving bans, fines, and even imprisonment in serious cases.
Drifting is classified as a high-risk driving practice and is illegal on public roads. While some may view it as harmless fun or a show of skill, authorities have made clear that it won’t be tolerated—particularly when it endangers lives.
Crackdown on road crime in the Canary Islands
This investigation forms part of a wider push by the Guardia Civil to crack down on reckless driving across the Canary Islands. Social media is proving a double-edged sword: a platform for showing off, but also a key tool for identifying and prosecuting offenders.
Shared roads, shared responsibility
Whether it’s high-speed stunts or everyday impatience behind the wheel, unsafe driving continues to be a major threat on Spanish roads. As more people take to the highways this summer, it’s a timely reminder that public roads are not playgrounds—and that we all have a part to play in keeping them safe.