MKBHD Issues Apology for Driving 96 MPH on 35 MPH Road in Controversial Deleted YouTube Scene

Tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee, widely known as MKBHD, has recently come under fire for reckless driving after he was recorded speeding at 96 miles per hour in a 35 mph zone, an action made even more controversial due to the presence of signs warning drivers to be cautious of nearby children.

With over 19 million subscribers, Brownlee has earned his reputation as a leading tech influencer, recognized for his engaging reviews on a variety of devices, including electric vehicles, smartphones, and artificial intelligence tools. However, this latest incident has sparked significant criticism from his audience.

Speeding Incident Highlighted in Recent Video

In a video posted on November 11, a brief clip captured Brownlee driving his Lamborghini at excessive speeds. Viewers quickly identified that the YouTuber was traveling 96 mph, with clear signage indicating the 35 mph speed limit and a reminder to watch for children in the vicinity.

MKBHD was doing 96mph in 35mph “careful children”zone, video wasn’t even about cars he was just flexing. I hate cars. pic.twitter.com/zvQsBeNIvW

— 1010011010 (@LeszczynskiEd) November 12, 2024

The driving segment, although only a few seconds long, ignited a wave of backlash from viewers who filled the comment section condemning the reckless behavior. Comments such as:

“155km/h in a 50km/h zone. Ouch, that’s an instant auctioning off of the vehicle in many European countries and up to four years in prison.”
“Not the video proof of him speeding in a 35mph zone after a ‘children in the area’ sign.”
“Damn, 60mph over the speed limit is wild.”

Fans Express Concerns Over Video Content

Additional criticism arose regarding the overall content of the video, which many felt served primarily as an advertisement for the DJI Osmo Action Camera 5 Pro, despite its title, “How my video gear is changing,” suggesting a more personal narrative.

In response to the uproar, Brownlee swiftly edited the offending driving clip from his video. He acknowledged the feedback from his audience, stating, “Cut out the unnecessary driving clip that obviously added nothing to the video. I hear all your feedback on sponsored videos, too.”

MKBHD statement regarding driving incident

Despite his attempts to address the situation, fans continued to voice their displeasure, with many recalling how Brownlee previously vowed to avoid fully sponsored content. One viewer remarked, “I remember when Marques Brownlee said he would never make a fully sponsored video. Now here it is, an entire nine-minute video that is just a sponsor.”

Legal Implications of Speeding

Speeding, particularly exceeding the limit by margins such as 15 to 35 miles per hour, is considered reckless driving in many regions across the United States, and sanctions can vary significantly. For example:

In California, reckless driving is classified as a misdemeanor and can lead to fines and points deducted from one’s license.
In Florida, it can elevate to a felony, especially if property damage ensues due to the speeding behavior.

Since MKBHD resides in New Jersey, where reckless driving laws are less explicitly defined, charges depend on individual case evaluations. According to Lento Law Firm, cases of reckless driving are assessed based on the driver’s intent and the circumstances surrounding their actions.

Marques Brownlee Issues Apology for His Actions

Following his initial comment on YouTube, Brownlee took to social media about an hour later to publicly apologize for his behavior. He explained the rationale behind removing the driving segment, noting, “There’s no reason to leave that clip in (there was no reason to include it in the first place) and I would never want to make it seem ok by leaving it in the video.”

Last video I did something pretty stupid. You might’ve already seen it, but maybe not so I’ll address it here. There was a clip with the action cam of me test driving a car and going way too fast. Absolutely inexcusable and dangerous. I’ve since cut it out of the video with…

— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) November 12, 2024

Interestingly, this is not the first instance of controversy facing MKBHD this year. In October, he faced backlash over his Panels wallpaper app due to concerns about pricing and monetization strategies perceived by fans as excessive.

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