Chroming and car surfing
…the latest in dangerous teen trends
Recent reports from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) warn about a couple of the deadliest new trends for Colorado youth – chroming (and its several variations) and car surfing.
CHROMING:
Chroming is not new but is now trending on social media under this different name. Popularly known as the “deodorant challenge,” chroming involves inhaling metallic paints, solvents, petrol or hazardous chemical substances from aerosol cans to get a quick high.
According to the National Capital Poison Center, an estimated 684,000 million adolescents from the ages of 12 to 17 reportedly have used inhalants. Long-term use can lead to a range of health problems, including kidney failure and brain damage.
Chroming can take several forms. Sniffing involves inhaling vapors directly from a container such as nail polish remover. Bagging involves inhaling vapors, like spray paint, directly from a plastic or paper bag. Huffing involves inhaling gas, lighter fluids or vapors soaked in fabric. Inhaling in any of these methods increases the level of fumes and increases the degree of intoxication.
This DCSO dashcam footage was taken of two teenagers sitting outside the sunroof on top of a vehicle that was traveling more than 55 mph on C-470 near South Quebec Street. This dangerous trend is known as car surfing.
CAR SURFING:
Car surfing is just what it sounds like – standing, sitting or lying on the hood, roof or outside portion of a vehicle while it is being driven. This activity is becoming increasingly popular, despite it frequently resulting in severe injuries. According to the National Library of Medicine, the average age of car surfers is 17.
In the past couple of months, DCSO has responded to more than a half dozen calls involving car surfing with one resulting in a fatality.
Not only is car surfing dangerous and a citable offense for the passenger, drivers may also be cited or even arrested for several criminal violations such as reckless driving, reckless endangerment, third degree assault and/or vehicular homicide.
“Our priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of each and every one of our residents,” stated Sheriff Darren Weekly. “Please remember to stay safe, make responsible choices and encourage others to do the same. We need to work together to prevent further tragedies.”
By ViVi Somphon; courtesy photos
