A man has been charged after a video surfaced online allegedly showing a three-year-old behind the wheel of a moving pick-up truck in Perth, Australia. The footage, which was uploaded to social media, prompted a police response and widespread concern.
Video shows child allegedly steering vehicle
In the footage, the child sits on the driver's lap, allegedly unrestrained, with hands around the wheel as the vehicle cruises through suburban streets on Friday. Police allege the child appeared to “have control of steering the vehicle” in the video, which was uploaded to social media.
The alleged caption shared with the post read: “Three-year-old driving a [pick-up truck] what a legend.” Footage obtained by local TV station 9News allegedly showed the child behind the wheel as the car swayed over the road, while the man can be heard laughing in the background.
Police describe incident as 'deeply concerning'
In the clip, the man can be heard allegedly saying: “Oh s**t, go straight, straight!” and “Straight mate, go!” The pick-up truck continues down the residential street with the child at the wheel before coming to a stop on the footpath.
The footage caught the attention of Western Australian Police. Superintendent Michael Dalla-Costa called the alleged incident “deeply concerning” in a statement. “Every parent and caregiver has a responsibility to keep children safe,” he said. “What we have seen in this vision is deeply concerning because it appears to show a very young child being allowed to control a moving vehicle.”
Man charged with reckless driving
Dalla-Costa added: “A vehicle is not a toy, and allowing a child to steer a moving vehicle, particularly if not properly restrained, can have serious consequences.” He said the incident “could have ended in tragedy”, adding: “One unexpected movement, a child running onto the road, a cyclist, a pedestrian, or a simple mistake could have ended in tragedy.”
He also noted that children rely on adults to “make safe decisions on their behalf” and that, if the pick-up truck had “lost control or been involved in a crash, the child would have been vulnerable to serious injury”.
Officers from WA Police arrested the man alleged to have been in charge of both the toddler and the pick-up truck on Saturday. He has been charged with one count of reckless driving and will appear before Joondalup Magistrates Court on October 2.
Police have urged anyone who witnessed the incident or has their own footage to come forward to assist with the investigation.
