A video capturing a young child steering a moving vehicle on Gran Canaria’s busiest road, the GC-1 motorway, has sparked outrage and disbelief across social media.
The footage, widely circulated online, shows a child sitting on an adult's lap in the driver’s seat, controlling the steering wheel without any form of safety restraint.
The Guardia Civil has confirmed the authenticity of the video and its location. The incident occurred on the GC-1 motorway near the Cruce de Melenara in Telde, heading north. A passenger in another vehicle recorded the scene, which initially seemed uneventful until the shocking moment was revealed.
The child, seated in the adult driver’s lap, was clearly steering the vehicle, posing a serious risk to everyone on the road. The video has ignited a wave of criticism, with many condemning the adult's reckless disregard for safety.
The Traffic Investigation Unit of the Guardia Civil is working to identify the adult responsible for this dangerous act. Allowing a child to operate a vehicle, even under supervision, violates multiple traffic regulations and puts all road users at significant risk.
Under Article 117 of Spain’s General Traffic Regulations, children under 135cm in height must use approved child restraint systems when travelling in a vehicle. Failure to comply is classified as a serious traffic violation, punishable by a €200 fine and a deduction of four points from the driver’s licence.
