The German Twitch streamer Marcel “MontanaBlack” Eris considers speed limits to be non-binding recommendations. In a stream, he explains that he would basically drive 70 km/h in 50 zones. Because that’s okay if you get caught. There’s no risk of driving bans.
This is what MontanaBlack says: In a Twitch stream, MontanaBlack reacted to a video from Spiegel-TV “Attention, poser police: On the hunt for car racers”. The streamer says:
I don’t care if I get in trouble for it or not. I drive on average 70 in the 50 zone – approximately. Mostly cruise control set to 70 in the 50 zone. On the highway, let’s say in a 120 zone, I drive 140. Always 10 to 20 over.
That’s all okay regarding speed cameras. You don’t get many points, no driving ban, and that’s that. Is that sick? It’s normal, dude. I don’t understand what’s sick about it. So for me, that’s normal.
There has been criticism of MontanaBlack’s driving behavior in the past:
Viewers demand penalties that increase proportionally with income
This is how it is discussed: A clip of this statement went viral on Twitter on October 1, reaching over 1.4 million views. Many Twitter users express outrage over these statements.
The problem is perceived to be that penalties in Germany for top earners like MontanaBlack are so low that he simply doesn’t care. It is suggested that penalties for such irresponsible driving behavior should be based on income, so they would actually hurt high earners like MontanaBlack.
MontanaBlack has revealed what he earned in 2023 solely from YouTube and Twitch.
Furthermore, comments on Twitter state:
- That MontanaBlack disregards a system intended for the safety of all is described by one user as
embarrassing shit
. - Another says: He publicly boasts about regularly being a “Hans Superwurst”.
- A user explains: 70 in the city is “insane”. The braking distance nearly doubles.
- Even people who themselves habitually speed believe MontanaBlack is exaggerating: 5 km/h is okay, but feeling 20 over as normal is “sick”.
Role model function? MontanaBlack denies
What’s behind it: The problematic issue is that MontanaBlack, whether he wants to or not, takes on a role model function for many young men who look up to him and feel that the world is indeed like he describes it – and that what everyone else believes and what “the adults” tell you is just nonsense. This is evident in a comment on Twitter that says The sheep will never understand.
The attitude that driving fast is okay, and it only costs €60 every now and then, which I can pay easily, shows a purely self-centered worldview, as if the rule is just there to somehow limit MontanaBlack’s freedom. If there’s really an accident and someone gets hurt in the city because the braking distance is too long, that can’t be compensated for with money from the Gönergy-REWE deal or the viewers’ donations.
MontanaBlack’s behavior in traffic has already been addressed in the past, and his driving behavior reported: MontanaBlack’s driving behavior is criticized – “Reported clip to the driver’s license authority”
