A YOUTUBE video depicting a baby at the wheel of a moving car has been condemned by police and safety experts.
A Star investigation uncovered the video, which was posted on the internet in January this year.
The video, which runs for just over a minute, depicts a child, aged around one, sitting on the lap of an older person in the driver’s seat of a moving car.
As the car travels along, at various times the adult can be seen taking his hands off the steering wheel and putting the child’s hands on the wheel.
Although it is unclear exactly where the video was filmed, the three males who posted the video describe themselves as “boys from Melbourne’s west” on their YouTube account.
Several other videos they have posted – which do not depict illegal activity – show them in St Albans, Sydenham, Hillside, Caroline Springs, Taylors Lakes and Maribyrnong.
Brimbank Highway Patrol Sergeant Rod Stein condemned the YouTube clip featuring the child driving.
“It would be illegal in five or six ways,” Sgt Stein said.
“It’s absolutely reckless and stupid and putting a one-year-old’s life at risk.
“I would strongly encourage people not to emulate this in the strongest terms, as road safety applies to everyone and doing something like this – the word which comes to my mind – is stupid.
“If people see other people doing it, they should be notifying police – not posting it on YouTube.
“Whoever took the video needs to pass it on to police.”
Brimbank Police Acting Inspector Tim O’Connor said police would have difficulty prosecuting the driver in the video, as he never shows his face.
In addition, Acting Insp O’Connor said police would not know when or where the incident occurred, or if the boys who posted it on YouTube were the ones who actually filmed it.
“If we were provided with information we could do something about it,” he said.
Kidsafe Victoria’s Executive Officer Melanie Courtney said it was against the law for children under seven to not travel in a child restraint or booster seat.
“They are so much safer in the backseat, in the case of an incident,” she said.
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
