Preschooler behind steering wheel; dangerous driving caught on camera on Thiruvananthapuram Airport Road

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A shocking video has emerged from Kazhakoottam in Thiruvananthapuram, showing a young child behind the wheel of a moving car, apparently steering the vehicle while an adult sits beside the child in the driver's seat. The incident could have ended in disaster, but the road was relatively free of traffic at the time.

The incident took place at around 7.30 am on Tuesday on the flyover near Ananthapuri Hospital on the Kazhakoottam–Airport Road. The footage was recorded on a mobile phone by fellow motorists from Elampal in Kollam district who were travelling nearby.

The video shows the child seated at the wheel and steering the car. Although another person was seated alongside the child in the driver's seat, the child appeared to have full control of the steering. A woman can also be seen in the footage. They are suspected to be the child's parents, but their identities and other details are not yet known.

Sujith, a native of Elampal who recorded the video, said the child appeared to be around three or four years old. He alleged that even after occupants of other vehicles honked to warn them, the adult seated beside the child paid no heed to the warnings.

According to Sujith, the car accelerated again after its occupants noticed that they were being filmed. He estimated that the vehicle was travelling at 80–100 kmph. He said he recorded the incident because he felt he could not simply ignore what was happening.

The incident comes amid a series of fatal accidents involving teenagers and reckless driving in the state. The latest footage has raised further concerns about parental negligence and the dangers of allowing children to drive. The Motor Vehicles Department and police have reportedly launched an investigation following the circulation of the video.