“Where are you?”: Dangerous TikTok trend spotted on car bumpers in Kazakhstan
Tengrinews.kz – A new and bizarre TikTok trend has emerged in Kazakhstan: drivers across several cities have been spotted with the phrase “Where are you?” spray-painted on the rear bumpers of their cars.
Videos of these vehicles have gone viral on TikTok and Threads, sparking speculation about the meaning behind the unusual graffiti. While some users guessed at hidden messages, others warned that such drivers should be avoided on the road.
According to online comments, the trend was started by street racers, known locally as “shashechniki”, who weave aggressively through traffic. The phrase “Where are you?” is reportedly directed at fellow racers.
Many noted that the craze first appeared on Toyota Camry 50 models before spreading to other cars. Commentators also pointed out that while ordinary drivers are not at risk, those behind the wheel of such “tagged” cars face danger themselves – not only from reckless driving, but also from multiple traffic fines in a single trip.
Road safety concerns
The trend comes amid a worrying rise in traffic accidents in Kazakhstan. In the first six months of 2024, authorities recorded 15,698 accidents – 54 more than in the same period last year.
According to the Committee on Legal Statistics, 22,346 people were injured in road crashes, with 955 fatalities. Most incidents occurred on national highways, with 1,401 accidents reported, leaving 355 people dead and more than 2,700 injured.
Regions with the highest accident rates include:
Almaty region – 404 accidents
Akmola region – 126 accidents
Zhambyl region – 121 accidents
Car drivers were the main culprits (12,046 cases), followed by bus drivers (520), moped riders (438), and truck drivers (390). Pedestrians (428), cyclists (114), and users of electric scooters and small electric vehicles were also among those involved.
Alarmingly, the number of injured children rose by 74.3 percent – from 3,185 to 5,552 – while child fatalities increased by 7.1 percent, from 126 to 135.
Turkistan region recorded the highest death toll with 27 children killed, followed by Almaty region (17), Zhambyl region (9), and Jetisu region (9).