No laughing matter: The moment a male motorist is filmed ‘breathing in hippie crack balloon’ as he drives around the North Circular
- Driver caught ‘inhaling’ from what appears to be a balloon on A406 North Circular
- Video of the incident was posted to Twitter, prompting an investigation by the Met Police
Video shows a motorist apparently inhaling a “hippie crack” balloon while driving on the outside lane of a dual carriageway.
The footage is believed to have been recorded on the A406 North Circular in North London yesterday morning.
It was captured from a car behind and appears to show the man driving a car while holding a bright yellow balloon.
The footage was shared on Twitter, prompting the Met Police to launch an investigation into the incident.
A man was caught on camera yesterday morning apparently inhaling a balloon while driving in the outside lane on the A406 North Circular in North London
Met police believe the incident was filmed on the A406 in Golders Green and are working to identify the driver. Police were notified of the video after it was shared online.
The A406, or North Circular, is a 40km ring road around central London, running from Chiswick in the west to Woolwich in the east via a north London suburb.
“A man ballooning this morning and driving on the A406,” wrote the Twitter account that posted the images.
However, another user suggested that the driver “might just be blowing up balloons for his kid’s birthday party.”
Shot from a car behind, the clip appears to show the man driving a car while holding a bright yellow balloon. The Metz police are working to identify the driver
Met Police replied to tweet saying, “Thanks for informing me. Local agents have been notified of this matter for further investigation.’
Making a balloon means taking nitrous oxide or NOS, a colorless gas sold in jerry cans and usually inhaled with a balloon. It gives the user a quick high, but can also make people dizzy, anxious and paranoid, according to drug advice website Frank.
The business owner who posted the video told MailOnline this morning they believe balloon inhalation is a growing problem across London.
“I see this regularly in the different boroughs of London,” said the filmmaker. “Balloons, alcohol, cocaine. I think this fuels the accidents on the roads.’
The poster, who is also a parent, added that they shared the clip to highlight the dangers of drug use.
“This kind of thing is not viewed well,” they said. “This is getting on my nerves. It’s very dangerous.’
A spokesman for the Met Police said: ‘We are aware of the video. Officers have made an initial investigation and believe it was filmed on the A406 in Golders Green.
“Further investigation is taking place to identify the driver.”