Shotgun 1 #1 February 7, 2005 http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=10&u=/ap/20050207/ap_on_fe_st/young_driver QuoteSAND LAKE, Mich. - A boy drove his mother's car to a video store in the middle of the night, police said — and he's all of 4 years old. Even though he was unable to reach the accelerator, the boy managed to put the car in gear and the idling engine provided enough power to take him slowly to the store, a quarter-mile from his home, about 1:30 a.m. Friday, Police Chief Doug Heugel said. Finding the store closed, the youngster began a slow trip home. Weaving and with its headlights off, the car got the attention of police Sgt. Jay Osga, who initially thought he was following a driverless car that had taken off after being left running at a gas pump. The car turned into the boy's apartment complex and struck two parked cars, then backed up and struck Osga's police car. That's when Osga discovered the boy inside. "He knew how to go from forward to reverse," Osga said Monday. "The mother said she taught him how to drive by letting him sit on her lap and steer." No charges will be filed against the boy or his mother, Heugel said. "He's 4 years old. His mom didn't even know he was up," Heugel told The Grand Rapids Press. "I don't think he even realizes what he did." What a crazy story! How lucky that everything turned out ok... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peregrinerose 0 #2 February 7, 2005 Who teaches a 4 year old how to drive?? Who lets a 4 year old out of the house at 130am?? Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rebecca 0 #3 February 7, 2005 Hey, what else are you gonna do when you just really need to see Finding Nemo at 1:30 a.m.? Wake up mom? Psh. Resourceful little dude, isn't he? you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #4 February 7, 2005 Glad the kid is ok...man, that's one smart child! Sheesh! And what a DUMB mom...Ok maybe some parents have let the tot sit on the lap to 'drive the car' once (my daddy did way back when), but with car seats mandatory now, how stupid would it be to admit to doing this? ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IanHarrop 43 #5 February 7, 2005 "The mother said she taught him how to drive by letting him sit on her lap and steer." I wonder how she managed that with the him safely sitting in a child car seat where she, as a responsible person, would of course make sure he is at all times. Jeez!!! some people are stupid!!! This child is destined to win a Darwin Award. His mother already has the stupid gene and no doubt passed it along. Some people should not procreate. Edited to add: Too bad a license is required to drive and not to procreate!"Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rebecca 0 #6 February 7, 2005 My pop used to let me sit on his lap and steer his badass GTO around the parking lot when I was 3-4 years old... Never would've occurred to me to take it for a spin without him though! you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rebecca 0 #7 February 7, 2005 See, I'm thinking the kid dodged the bullet on the stupid gene. No doubt his mom's got it, but a four-year old who knows which key, where to put it, how to turn it, and what R and D mean on the shifter... I'm thinking we've got a (potentially) pretty smart little whippersnapper here. He even drove home when he realized the store was closed - not exactly stupid! you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shotgun 1 #8 February 7, 2005 QuoteOk maybe some parents have let the tot sit on the lap to 'drive the car' once (my daddy did way back when), but with car seats mandatory now, how stupid would it be to admit to doing this? Oh yeah... the car seat part of it hadn't even occurred to me (having not been around children much)... She doesn't sound like a very responsible mother. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #9 February 7, 2005 Quote"The mother said she taught him how to drive by letting him sit on her lap and steer." I wonder how she managed that with the him safely sitting in a child car seat where she, as a responsible person, would of course make sure he is at all times. Jeez!!! some people are stupid!!! This child is destined to win a Darwin Award. His mother already has the stupid gene and no doubt passed it along. Some people should not procreate. Edited to add: Too bad a license is required to drive and not to procreate! Jeez...and I thought I was an OK dad. 3-5 mph in our deserted cul de sac with me running the gas and brake pedals didn't seem all that unsafe. Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumper03 0 #10 February 7, 2005 Quote"The mother said she taught him how to drive by letting him sit on her lap and steer." I wonder how she managed that with the him safely sitting in a child car seat where she, as a responsible person, would of course make sure he is at all times. Jeez!!! some people are stupid!!! This child is destined to win a Darwin Award. His mother already has the stupid gene and no doubt passed it along. Some people should not procreate. Edited to add: Too bad a license is required to drive and not to procreate! you're assuming she was letting the little guy drive out on the interstate! It didn't say that. My little brother got to drive all the time - from the end of the drive way to the car port. Granted he's gotten into more wrecks and tickets than the rest of us combined but hey.....Scars remind us that the past is real Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kansasskydiver 0 #11 February 7, 2005 My Dad used to use me drive all the time. Around the block in the neighborhood, parking lots etc. My memory if it was in OK and before kindergranden. So I was 3-4. I'used to let my 4 yr old sister drive my car sitting on my lap. She didn't have much interest in it though and would let go of the wheel.<--- See look, pink dolphins DO exist! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dougiefresh 0 #12 February 7, 2005 I pulled a stunt like this at the same age. My mom put me and my brother in the car, but had forgotten something and ran back into the house. I said, "I wanna drive!" My brother, always the smart one, told me I was being an idiot and got out of the car. I scrambled into the front seat and starting turning the wheel and moving that little shifty thing that mommy always uses. Well, that put the car into reverse, and since we were on a hill the 2 ton station wagon started rolling backwards. I don't remember the rest, but apparently I ended up across the street, having successfully backed the car into the neighbor's maple tree. Lucky it was there or I woulda gone through her house. Ahh, the times I had in that car. It was later dubbed the "pimpmobile" for it's spacious and comfortable back area. If you put down the back seats you had PLENTY of room. Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GeordieSkydiver 0 #13 February 7, 2005 I hope he knows the rule about filling up the car with gas after you borrow it.Lee _______________________________ In a world full of people, only some want to fly, is that not crazy? http://www.ukskydiver.co.uk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rebecca 0 #14 February 7, 2005 First one's free, but after that he gets a spanking. Och, kids these days... you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
