SPLISH SPLASH
Drivers who splash puddles over pedestrians could be hit with £5,000 fine
MOTORISTS in the UK face a fine of up to £5,000 if they are caught driving through a puddle and splashing a pedestrian.
You might think soaking a passerby is a bit of a laugh and just harmless fun but it could get you slapped with a public order offence, on top of the hefty fine.
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Under section three of the , it is an offence to drive "without reasonable consideration for other persons".
According to the , this includes "driving through a puddle causing pedestrians to be splashed".
Typically, this will land you with a £100 fixed penalty notice and three points on your licence if you're caught by the police.
But if you're considered to be driving your motor in a manner that "amounts to a clear act of incompetence, selfishness, impatience or aggressiveness" then you can get a maximum level five fine, which is currently set at £5,000.
You could also face the top fine if you fail to pay your £100 fixed penalty notice or if the case is taken to court.
RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams said: “Anyone unfortunate enough to have suffered a drenching by an inconsiderate motorist splashing them when driving through a puddle would probably welcome a sizeable financial penalty for the driver.
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"Since 2013, careless driving can be dealt with by a Fixed Penalty Notice with a £100 fine and three penalty points."
This is a take-it or leave-it offer for the motorist if they accept that they have committed the offence.
And if they refuse, they'll face a magistrate who could impose a fine up to £5,000 - although the maximum is very unlikely, according to Williams.
He said: "In such a case the fine would be appropriate to the level of distress and inconvenience caused and would hopefully send a clear message that inconsiderate and potentially aggressive driving is simply not acceptable.
“Drivers have a duty to show respect and care for their fellow road users and pedestrians.”
As part of section three of the Road Traffic Act, motorists can also be fined for offences such as flashing their lights to force other drivers in front to give way, unnecessarily slow driving or braking without good cause.
Driving with undipped headlights which dazzle oncoming drivers, cyclists or pedestrians, and driving a bus in such a way as to alarm passengers also attract fines and points on your licence.
You could even face a £5,000 fine for playing Christmas music in your car.
And from this year, drivers outside London will face £70 fines for "moving traffic offences" including stopping in yellow box junctions and performing bad turns.
Here's eight winter driving laws you need to know – or face up to a £10,000 fine.
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