A new study reveals a third of UK drivers wrongly believe there is no penalty for deliberately splashing a pedestrian whilst driving.
Following an amber alert from the Met Office and heavy rain overnight, new research from private number plate supplier Regtransfers has revealed that the majority of UK drivers aren’t aware of the potential fine they could receive for deliberately splashing pedestrians whilst driving.
It might seem like a harmless prank or practical joke, but if it’s believed that you have deliberately driven into a puddle to splash a pedestrian walking on the pavement, you could receive a maximum fine of up to £5,000 and a potential three points on your license.
The study showed that a third of the UK’s drivers believe there is no fine for the act of splashing someone on purpose, while half of the respondents believed the maximum fine to be just £1,000.
Under section three of the Road Traffic Act 1988, splashing someone on purpose is considered an offense, as it is seen as driving “without reasonable consideration for other persons”.
In most cases, drivers will receive a fixed penalty notice of £100, but if this isn’t paid the fine could increase to the £5,000 maximum if the case is taken to court and the driver is seen as acting with “incompetence, selfishness, impatience, and aggressiveness”.
“Driving through deep puddles is sometimes unavoidable, but it’s important to take care when doing so”, said Regtransfers CEO Mark Trimbee.
“We’d like to think nobody would intentionally splash a pedestrian, but it’s best to err on the side of caution when driving in wet weather. Always check your surroundings and drive at an appropriate speed so as not to splash anyone.
“Aside from the inconvenience you may cause to those on the side of the road, driving at speed in wet weather increases the risk of hydroplaning, which can lead to loss of control of the vehicle and, potentially, a nasty accident.”
