A video has been posted online of a three-year-old behind the wheel of a white ute, steering through Perth’s suburban streets.
Footage of the unrestrained child sitting on a man’s lap has sparked outrage from experts, ministers and the police.
A video has been posted online of a three-year-old behind the wheel of a white ute, steering through Perth’s suburban streets. 9News
In the clip, the ute’s seen accelerating at speed as the car drifts all over the road, while the male is heard instructing the child on which direction to turn the wheel.
Police are now investigating the incident, labelling the footage “deeply concerning”.
“Adults are expected to protect children, not place them in situations where they are exposed to unnecessary danger,” WA Police told 9News in a statement.
Government Minister Matthew Swinbourne was appalled by the video.
“This is just ridiculous,” he said.
“There’s no circumstance in which this behaviour is ever acceptable.
“I’m sorry, it’s made me a bit angry and I think it’s to be condemned in the strongest terms possible, there’s no defence.
“I’m gonna walk away now and calm down.”
Government Minister Matthew Swinbourne was appalled by the vision. 9News
Also shocked by the footage was Kidsafe CEO Scott Phillips.
“That is concerning,” he said.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen within the car, but we also don’t know what’s gonna happen outside of it with other drivers. The child’s sitting right in front of an airbag.”
In Western Australia, transport related injuries are the leading cause of death for children under 14.
For kids under four, they must be restrained in a five point harness, in the back seat, while travelling in a car.
“Please don’t be overconfident in what you can control in situations like this and really posting things like this is just ridiculous,” Phillips said.
The man who posted the video online was contacted for comment by 9News but did not respond.