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ALBANY,GA --
A deadly fad is surfacing, and it may have already found its way to southwest Georgia.

It’s called car surfing, and your child may be a part of it.

“These children are choosing to undertake such reckless behavior and it causes us great concern,” says John Dumond.

The dangerous trend has kids riding on the tops of cars or SUVs going at top speeds.

“It's looking for thrills and obviously we're gonna have kids seeking thrills and not using good analytical judgment before they do whatever they do,” says Dougherty County Police Chief Don Cheek.

And it's a thrill that comes with a price. If risking your life wasn't enough, you could also get fined or thrown in jail. The least you could get is a charge of reckless conduct, which is a misdemeanor.

“Now if there is, in fact, a death as a result of that type of an action, then it can escalate into involuntary manslaughter,” adds Chief Cheek.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 1999 and 2008, there were 58 deaths as a result of injuries sustained from car surfing--mostly in young men.

“I personally don't understand what the thrill is to undertake such a reckless and dangerous behavior. I don't know what actions can be taken to stop it, but it is very disconcerting,” says Dumond.

Since the summer months mean more freedom for your teen to get behind the wheel, officials urge all parents to talk with their young drivers about this deadly activity.