Perth man accused of letting toddler steer car faces reckless driving charges

Consensus Summary

A 30-year-old Perth man, Jake Douglas Smith, has been charged with reckless driving after allegedly allowing a toddler to steer a car while sitting unrestrained on his lap. The incident occurred on September 11 in Alkimos, a suburb in Perth’s north, and was captured in a video later uploaded to social media. Police allege the child appeared to have control of the steering wheel during the stunt, which ended with the vehicle mounting a curb and stopping on a front lawn. Both 7NEWS and ABC report that Smith appeared in Joondalup Magistrates Court on Friday to face the charges, representing himself throughout the proceedings.

The controversy stems from a video that shows the child’s hands on the steering wheel, with a man’s voice heard saying, 'say hello, yeah I did it, a three-year-old driving the car!' The clip was captioned '3 year old driving a Hilux what a legend,' according to ABC, though Smith later told reporters he was 'not too sure' whether he uploaded the video. Police allege the incident took place while driving through residential streets, with the child’s safety compromised by the lack of restraint. The video’s circulation on social media appears to have drawn attention to the case, prompting legal action.

Smith made several statements during and after his court appearance that drew media attention. He told 7NEWS he was 'in talks with the best lawyer on earth ... Jesus Christ' and later wished reporters a 'lovely day,' adding, 'God bless your souls.' ABC reported that Smith is on a conditional suspended imprisonment order, though no further details were provided. Outside the court, he struggled to respond to questions, saying he was 'a little bit lost for words' when asked about the charge. His legal team has not yet entered a plea, leaving the outcome uncertain for now.

While both outlets agree on the core details of the incident and Smith’s court appearance, there are differences in emphasis and timing. 7NEWS highlights Smith’s religious references and his scheduled return to court at the end of October, whereas ABC focuses on the video’s caption and Smith’s arrest the day after the incident. ABC also notes that his bail was extended until a later hearing this month, creating a slight discrepancy with 7NEWS’s reporting of the October court date. These variations suggest differing priorities in how each outlet framed the story, though the factual basis remains largely consistent.

The next steps in the case remain unclear, with Smith’s legal team yet to determine how he will plead. His next court appearance is either later this month or at the end of October, depending on the source. The unresolved question of whether Smith uploaded the video and his past legal troubles, including a conditional suspended imprisonment order, add layers of complexity to the proceedings. As the case unfolds, further details may emerge about the circumstances surrounding the incident and Smith’s intentions.