Overview

• Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 classifies splashing pedestrians as driving without reasonable consideration for others, making it a prosecutable offence.
• Most offenders receive a £100 fixed penalty notice and three licence points, though court proceedings can lead to fines up to £5,000.
• Legal expert Adam Jones warns that deliberate or careless splashing could also result in criminal convictions, higher insurance premiums and civil claims.
• The Highway Code lacks explicit rules on puddle splashing, but due-care legislation covers motorists’ responsibilities in wet weather.
• Coverage on July 19 has highlighted the risks of splashing pedestrians and triggered calls for careful driving in wet conditions.