A police patrol in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate made a shocking discovery after they came across a driver who appeared to be typing on her mobile phone, according to a Wednesday report.

While such behaviour would already be hazardous, what they saw on closer inspection stunned officers.

A toddler, less than two years old, was sitting on her lap with both hands on the steering wheel.

Officers immediately guided the vehicle off the highway at the next exit near the town of Ramstein, west of Kaiserslautern, and confronted her, conducting a full roadside check. The incident happened late on Tuesday night.

According to police, the woman showed no understanding of the risk. She insisted that the child had not been feeling well and that she was simply driving to a fast-food restaurant.

Officers say this explanation did nothing to lessen the severity of the offence.

A formal investigation has now been opened, and authorities have been alerted due to concerns of child endangerment.

Edited by: Louis Oelofse