The key facts

  • A 5th-grade student of school No. 19 in the Jarkurgan district drove a neighbor's Spark and filmed the video himself, which sparked wide discussion.
  • The Road Safety Department held a preventive talk with the minor and his mother; according to the agency, lawful measures were taken.
  • The mother said she did not know about the drive but knew of her son's interest in driving, and took responsibility for his upbringing upon herself.

Video of a Fifth-Grader Behind the Wheel of a Spark

In the Jarkurgan district of Surkhandarya region, a video spread on social media showing a 5th-grade student driving a Spark car belonging to a neighbor. According to the regional Road Safety Department (UBDD), the student is from school No. 19: he drove the car, filmed the process and posted the recording on a social network. The situation sparked wide discussion.

The UBDD's Response

UBDD officers held a preventive talk with the minor and his mother. According to the agency, lawful measures were taken regarding the situation.

The Mother's Words

The schoolboy's mother said she did not know that her son had driven the car, but was aware of his interest in driving. “I didn't know my son was driving a car, but he had an interest. I have one son, and I want him to be educated. I enrolled him in English and math clubs. He was interested in older children, and because of that interest he got behind the wheel. From now on, I myself will take responsibility for his upbringing,” she said. She added that she will pay more attention to raising the child.

The Schoolboy's Words

The student himself said he regrets what he did and promised not to repeat it. “I drove the Spark. I regret it. I won't do it again. I didn't know the rules,” he said. He also called on his peers to refrain from such actions.