Preschooler seen driving car on airport road; child rights commission registers case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has registered a suo motu case after a video showing a three- or four-year-old child driving a moving car in Kazhakoottam, Thiruvananthapuram, went viral on social media. The commission has sought reports from the district police chief and the Regional Transport Officer (RTO) regarding the incident.

The incident occurred at around 7.30 am on Tuesday on the flyover near Ananthapuri Hospital on the Kazhakoottam–Airport Road. The footage, recorded by motorists travelling nearby, shows the young child seated at the wheel and steering the moving vehicle while an adult sits alongside the child in the driver's seat. A woman can also be seen in the footage. The adults accompanying the child are suspected to be the child's parents, though their identities have not been confirmed.

Sujith, a native of Elampal in Kollam district who recorded the video, said the child appeared to be around three or four years old. According to him, occupants of other vehicles honked to warn the car's occupants, but the adult seated beside the child allegedly ignored the warnings. Sujith said the car accelerated again after its occupants noticed that they were being filmed. He estimated that the vehicle was travelling at 80–100 kmph, adding that he recorded the incident because he felt he could not simply ignore such dangerous behaviour.

The road was relatively free of traffic at the time, potentially preventing a serious accident. The incident has drawn renewed attention to the dangers of allowing children to drive, particularly amid concerns over fatal accidents involving teenagers in the state. The Motor Vehicles Department and police have also initiated an investigation following the circulation of the footage.