Motorists could be slapped with fines of up to £5,000 for thoughtlessly soaking pedestrians in wet conditions. It’s not just discourteous, but also potentially hazardous to drive through puddles and drench people nearby, whether it’s done on purpose or accidentally.
While the Highway Code doesn’t explicitly mention splashing pedestrians, there are laws that address driving with due care and attention. Section three of the Road Traffic Act 1988 deems it an offence to speed through puddles and drench those on the pavement, as this constitutes driving “without reasonable consideration for other persons”. Inconsiderate driving is a broad term offence which can encompass a range of inappropriate behaviours on the road – this implies drivers caught doing so could face substantial penalties or even be hauled into court if the offence is considered serious enough.
Penalties for splashing pedestrians
Usually, motorists caught splashing pedestrians will be issued a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £100 and possibly three points on their licence. However, if the case is taken to court, the driver could be hit with a much larger fine of up to £5,000.
Penalties are typically determined by several factors, including the level of distress caused by the incident and the extent of inconvenience experienced.
How to avoid splashing pedestrians and a potential fine
Avoiding a hefty fine for drenching pedestrians is as simple as following some basic safety advice. Typically, a car will create a substantial splash when speeding through a puddle.
Firstly, the driver should slow down and assess if it’s safe to bypass the puddle entirely instead of driving through it. However, if road conditions necessitate driving through the puddle, reducing speed slightly can significantly diminish the size of the splash.
Remember that once you drive through a puddle, even if it’s only an inch or two deep, you should always test your brakes afterwards when it’s safe to do so as they may become less effective from the excess water.
