Child on lap, hands on steering: MVD to suspend man's licence in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The driving licence of Vallakkadavu Vayyaamoola native Zainulabdeen will be suspended in connection with the incident in which he was seen placing a child on his lap and making him hold the steering wheel while driving a car at high speed. The Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) summoned him to the Regional Transport Office (RTO) and issued a notice.

The incident came to light after residents of Ilambal in Kollam released a video showing Zainulabdeen driving with his grandchild on his lap. Following this, the Kazhakkoottam police registered a case against him. The notice cites dangerous driving and endangering the child's life. Apart from the suspension of his driving licence, Zainulabdeen will also have to attend a three-day driving awareness and training programme conducted by the MVD at either Edappal or Kollam. In his explanation, Zainulabdeen said he had placed the child on his lap because the child was crying.

The MVD has pointed out the serious risks involved in allowing a child to sit on the driver's lap. If the driver has to apply the brakes suddenly, the child could be crushed against the steering wheel. If the child slips down, the driver could also lose control of the vehicle. As per safety regulations, a three-year-old child must be seated in a specially designed child seat. The incident took place on Tuesday morning when Zainulabdeen drove along the Kazhakkoottam flyover with the child sitting on his lap. He reportedly ignored repeated honking by vehicles following his car.