Mother has to pay a 700 RM fine for allowing her 10-year-old son to drive a car

SEREMBAN, Sept 9 (Bernama) – A woman who allowed her 10-year-old son to drive a car that caused an accident in nearby Taman Arowana Impian on Sept 3 was fined RM700 by the Traffic Court here today.

Judge Marlissa Mohd Fahmy delivered the verdict after the 46-year-old defendant pleaded guilty after the charges were read out.

The accused, who works as a cleaner, is said to have allowed her 10-year-old son to drive a Toyota Corolla at Jalan Arowana 2, Taman Arowana Impian, at 9pm on September 3.

They were charged under Section 39(5) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which provides for a fine not exceeding RM2,000, imprisonment for six months, or both.

Deputy Public Prosecutor M. Pusppa initiated the prosecution while the accused was unrepresented.

In her argument, Pusppa asked the court to impose an appropriate sentence because the defendant, as a mother, should not have allowed a minor to drive a vehicle that could endanger not only the safety of her child but also the public.

The defendant appealed to the court to reduce the fine imposed because she only earned 1,500 RM a month and also had to support three school-age children.

The woman faces seven days in prison if she does not pay the fine.

The boy's joyride in his parents' Toyota Corrolla was cut short when the car skidded and crashed into a parked van and a Perodua Kancil.

According to police, the boy's nine-year-old neighbor was sitting in the passenger seat at the time of the incident.

— BERNAMA