7-year-old decides toy cars are boring, so tries out a real car instead!

Most of the time when police pick up a joyrider, they're expecting a certain stereotype. For example, a late teens – mid twenties male in a hoodie probably with no licence or car insurance. But what about a seven-year-old boy still in his pyjamas?

This is what police were faced with in Michigan, USA, when a seven-year-old boy stole his stepfather’s car and drove it 20 miles down the road, reaching speeds of up to 50mph.

What’s even more frightening is the fact that the child had to stand up in order to work the pedals. Witnesses say that even though the boy was driving erratically, he seemed to know what he was doing, which admittedly is quite impressive for a boy who is only seven, but still highly dangerous. This does raise the question however as to who taught the child to drive a car at such a young age?

The reason behind the theft was because the young boy wanted to see his father, who lived 12 miles away. So instead of bothering his mother, who was asleep at the time, he thought the best idea would be to steal his stepfather’s car and drive there himself.

The police were called and were able to safely box in the seven-year-old, until he finally pulled over. They then had to help the young boy figure out how to unlock the car and get out! Police obtained video footage from their vehicle of the boy driving 5mph below the speed limit (so at least he had learned not to speed!).
Luckily, the boy was unharmed and did not cause any damage to anything or anyone else.

Prosecutors are now focusing on how the boy knew how to drive when he was almost 10 years younger than the legal age in Michigan. It is also in question as to who to charge: the boy or his parents.

It goes without saying that his parents will think twice about what they are teaching their child in the future. Our advice: wait until they are of a legal age before you teach your child how to drive!

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