Drivers Who Deliberately Soak Pedestrians Face a £5,000 Fine
Whether it’s summer or winter, one thing we can be regularly sure of in the UK is wet weather. While driving, it can often be impossible not to drive through puddles. But you should be careful not to drench pedestrians as you could face a fine of up to £5,000 and penalty points.
A Third of Motorists Admit to Drenching Pedestrians
As we head into the depths of winter, we can expect a lot more rain, snow and slush over the coming months. That creates an additional hazard for pedestrians as puddles in the road can lead to a potential soaking from a passing vehicle. While driving through a puddle is sometimes unavoidable, one in three motorists admit to giving pedestrians an unwelcome shower according to a Uswitch survey.
However, drivers are urged to be a little more cautious when driving through surface water, because deliberately splashing pedestrians is against the law. If caught, you could be slapped with a fine of £100 to £5,000 pounds along with three penalty points on your driving licence. As it is considered a motoring conviction, you could also see a big rise in your insurance premiums.
What is the Law?
Under section three of the Road Traffic Act 1988, it is illegal to splash someone, as it amounts to driving “without reasonable consideration for other persons.” The most likely fine for those who deliberately splash pedestrians is a £100 fixed penalty notice and three penalty points.
if motorists refuse to pay the £100 fixed penalty and the case is taken to court, they could face the maximum £5,000 fine. Additionally, if a driver was considered to be driving in a manner that “amounts to a clear act of incompetence, selfishness, impatience, and aggression,” then the maximum fine of £5,000 could be also be issued.
Pedestrians Also Have Some Responsibility
Pedestrians who are drenched by a passing driver, whether innocently or deliberately, are understandably furious. However, pedestrians also have a responsibility to be aware of what’s going on around them.
If there’s a large puddle at the side of the road that drivers might be unable to avoid, the pedestrian needs to check for approaching vehicles. Traffic can’t always be expected to stop, or even slow down enough to not make a splash.
The Survey Says…
The majority of drivers don’t soak people on purpose, although one in 18 UK drivers surveyed admitted to intentionally drenching a passer-by. Nearly half of motorists said they would feel awful afterwards, with Scottish drivers being the most remorseful.
The worst offenders are young drivers aged 17 to 24 with 32% admitting their guilt and one in 10 doing it intentionally. Motorists over 55 and women drivers are least likely to soak someone.
Be Cautious with Personalised Number Plates
It’s great to give your car the personal touch with a private number plate. But, if you drive around committing motoring offences, like deliberately splashing pedestrians, your registration number will be more memorable than a standard number.
If you don’t have personalised number plates, now is a great time to invest. Search the CarReg database for your perfect plates.
