The “Dumb Ways to Die” song, created by the Australian rail network Metro as part of a train safety advertisement in 2013, has recently trended on TikTok, with users posting videos of themselves engaging in potentially harmful behavior while the catchy tune plays in the background. While many of the videos are humorous, some show dangerous behavior such as a man being hit by a longhorn or a scuba diver being charged by sharks. The trend has prompted concerns from safety advocates.
The “Dumb Ways to Die” campaign was created by Metro to encourage train passengers to practice safe behavior around trains. The video features whimsical characters dying in careless ways while the catchy tune plays in the background. The campaign was successful in reducing near-miss incidents around Melbourne’s railways by 30%, and millions of people pledged to practice safe behavior around trains.
After being around for ten years, the “Dumb Ways to Die” song recently went viral on TikTok. Approximately 250,000 TikTok videos have been created using the “Dumb Ways to Die” audio, showcasing individuals engaging in potentially harmful behavior. While some of the videos are lighthearted, some show users participating in unsafe activities.
PlaySide, the company that helped create sequels to the “Dumb Ways to Die” game, saw a significant increase in downloads after a TikTok user created a video template featuring the song in January 2023. The trend has been joined by influencers and celebrities, such as Coco Gauff and Olivia Dunn. PlaySide has posted numerous duets on TikTok to further engage with the audience. As a result, PlaySide’s TikTok following has grown by over one million.
While the “Dumb Ways to Die” song has become a popular trend on TikTok, it is important to remember that it was initially produced as a public service announcement to promote safety. The company behind the campaign wants to emphasize its origins as a PSA, and remind users that the song is meant to encourage safe behavior, not to be used for potentially harmful activities.
The recent “Dumb Ways to Die” trend on TikTok has sparked concerns from safety advocates, but has also led to increased downloads and engagement for the game’s creators. As the trend continues, it is important to remember the origins of the song and its intended purpose as a public service announcement promoting safety around trains.
