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Drivers Could Be Fined £5,000 For Purposely Splashing Pedestrians

Drivers Could Be Fined £5,000 For Purposely Splashing Pedestrians

Not only is it enough to ruin anyone's day but it's actually against the law.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Parts of the UK and Ireland are expected to be absolutely battered by Hurricane Lorenzo today.

Dubbed a 'real beast' by the Met Office, the weather system is expected to bring 90mph, powerful waves, and the risk of flash floods, potentially causing havoc for thousands of people.

According to reports, those in the West of Ireland could see gales of up to 90mph while it may reach 60mph in Northern Ireland. It's also predicted that 65mph gusts will sweep across the South-West of England from today.

Naturally, that means there's going to be a lot of rain and as a result loads of water on the curb.

PA

While it might be tempting to drive through the massive puddle and create a Hollywood style splash everywhere, it can land you in a lot of trouble.

One moment of reckless fun could land you with a £5,000 ($6,550) fine if you are found to have splashed people by the side of the road deliberately.

The law is laid out in the Road Traffic Act (1988) in which it is stated that you can't drive 'without reasonable consideration for other persons'.

It then goes on to specifically mention 'driving through a puddle causing pedestrians to be splashed'. So that means there's no way of getting out of it by trying to work around the wording of the legislation.

The standard fine for this offence is £100 ($130), and three penalty points onto your licence. If the matter ends up in court, you can be liable for a fine of up to £5,000, however.

With that in mind, it's probably best to just not be a dick and try to drive around puddles if you can.

PA

A road safety spokesperson for the RAC, 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.

"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.

He added: "If, however, they refuse then they will face a magistrate who could impose a fine up to £5,000, although the maximum is very unlikely.

"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."

Featured Image Credit: PA

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