Toddlers to get 'driving lessons'

The battery-powered cars can cost up to £500

Children as young as three years old are to get "driving lessons" in how to control their electric-powered toy cars.

The scheme follows a number of complaints about the battery-operated cars in the Redcar area.

In one case, motorists had to swerve to avoid a youngster who was driving his car on a main road.

The lessons - including road safety advice and the chance to drive around an obstacle course - will be held at nursery and primary schools.

We can give the youngsters some very useful dos and don'ts about where and when to use these cars

Safety officer Mike Hall

Redcar and Cleveland Council's road safety team are organising the lessons.

Safety officer Mike Hall said: "The best advice we can give is to ask them to keep these cars off the main roads.

"We have had several complaints.

"The most serious came from a driver who had to swerve to avoid a little lad driving the car along a main road - and his parents were walking on the pavement alongside him.

"We can give the youngsters some very useful dos and don'ts about where and when to use these cars, but it's up to the parents to be responsible, too."

The scheme, which starts on Tuesday, is supported by Cleveland Police.

The Chaloner Hall Day Nursery, in Guisborough, is the first venue for the special one-hour sessions.