Police spot toddler steering car on German autobahn
Police officers in western Germany made a shock discovery after they noticed a woman using her phone in the driver’s seat. It turned out that someone else was behind the wheel.
Police were first drawn to the vehicle when they noticed the apparent driver using her phone
Police spot toddler steering car on German autobahn
Police officers in western Germany made a shock discovery after they noticed a woman using her phone in the driver’s seat. It turned out that someone else was behind the wheel.
German police car on the freeway
Police were first drawn to the vehicle when they noticed the apparent driver using her phone [FILE: May 2, 2024]Image: Fotostand/Gelhot/picture alliance
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A police patrol in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate made a shocking discovery after they came across a driver who appeared to be typing on her mobile phone, according to a Wednesday report.
While such behaviour would already be hazardous, what they saw on closer inspection stunned officers.
A toddler, less than two years old, was sitting on her lap with both hands on the steering wheel.
Officers immediately guided the vehicle off the highway at the next exit near the town of Ramstein, west of Kaiserslautern, and confronted her, conducting a full roadside check. The incident happened late on Tuesday night.
According to police, the woman showed no understanding of the risk. She insisted that the child had not been feeling well and that she was simply driving to a fast-food restaurant.
Officers say this explanation did nothing to lessen the severity of the offence.
A formal investigation has now been opened, and authorities have been alerted due to concerns of child endangerment.
