Starring the magnificent Sandra Bullock, the major Netflix hit, Bird Box, inspired a challenge, the Bird Box Challenge, which consists of performing an activity while blindfolded. The reference comes from the fact that both the protagonist and the other characters cover their eyes so they can make their way to a refuge from "beings" that induce people who see them to commit suicide.
Many people took part by playing guitar, playing pool, serving coffee, and doing other activities. However, a 17-year-old American girl from Utah went a little further and used the challenge to drive a car on a highway while blindfolded.
The story did not end well, resulting in a road accident: the car collided with another car and then hit a pole. There were no fatalities, but both the driver and the occupants of the car she struck suffered minor injuries, and the act also caused major disruption.
The Utah state police issued a warning about the accident on Twitter, explaining how dangerous it could be to drive a car while blindfolded.
Bird Box Challenge while driving...predictable result. This happened on Monday as a result of the driver covering her eyes while driving on Layton Parkway. Luckily no injuries. pic.twitter.com/4DvYzrmDA2
— Layton Police (@laytonpolice) January 11, 2019
After the case drew widespread attention through the #BirdBoxChallenge hashtags, Netflix responded to what had happened by asking people not to perform dangerous acts that could put both participants and bystanders at risk when attempting a Bird Box Challenge.
