Mother Fined RM700 For Allowing 10-year-old Son To Drive

SEREMBAN, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- A woman who allowed her 10-year-old son to drive a car which caused an accident on Sept 3 at Taman Arowana Impian, near here was fined RM700 by the Traffic Magistrate's Court, here today.

Magistrate Marlissa Mohd Fahmy handed down the sentence after the 46-year-old defendant pleaded guilty after the charges were read out to her.

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

She was charged under Section 39(5) of the Road Transport Act 1987 which provides for a fine of not exceeding RM2,000 or a six-month jail term or both.

Deputy Public Prosecutor M. Pusppa prosecuted while the defendant was unrepresented.

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

The accused appealed to the court to reduce the fine imposed as she only earned RM1,500 a month and also has to support three school-going children.

The woman faces seven days in jail if she fails to pay the fine imposed.

The boy’s joyride outing in his parent’s Toyota Corrolla was cut short when the car skidded, causing an accident with a parked van and a Perodua Kancil.

Police said the boy’s nine-year-old neighbour was in the passenger seat at the time of the incident. 

 -- BERNAMA