Okay, so a few days ago, the US-based National Transportation Safety Board—the same agency that investigates airplane crashes issued a statement stating the rather obvious dangers of doing the #InMyFeelings Challenge. Now, the Philippine-based Department of Transportation (DOTr) has done the same. However, something seems to have been lost in translation:

Here’s the post on their Facebook page (in case they try to edit it):


For non-Filipino readers, here’s a translation for you:

“Does Kiki love you? If you’re attempting the #InMyFeelings Challenge, remember the following: 

1. Do the challenge in a private road or safe place. Don’t do it on public roads. Be safe, not reckless!

2. Make sure that there’s no on-coming traffic! 

3. Be careful when taking a video because you may violate the Anti-Distracted Driving Act.”

Did you spot the error?

In case you didn’t, we’ll spell it out for you: the DOTr just said that you can do the #InMyFeelings Challenge provided you do it in a private road or safe place. Uhhhhhh…right. Sure. What about just condemning this goddam challenge altogether?

Violating the Anti-Distracted Driving Act is the least of your problems at this point. Jumping out of a moving vehicle even when it’s at crawling speed is unsafe and very, very stupid. It doesn’t matter if you do it in the middle of EDSA, in your gated village’s road, or even in your own driveway. The risks are high that you’ll injure yourself or someone around you.

Do everyone a favor, and don’t do it. Just don’t.

Update: the Department of Transportation (as we expected, corrected their post):