Motorists who drive through puddles and splash nearby pedestrians could be slapped with a £5,000 fine.

Cambridgeshire police has launched an appeal for witnesses after one driver drenched a mum and two children in St Ives.

One officer said the car "unbelievably" ploughed through a 20ft puddle and soaked the woman who was pushing a pram.

Last year, News photographer David Johnson captured footage of one man's day being ruined as he was splattered by a passing car.

We've all leapt out of the way to avoid a passing car splashing us, with some of us unlucky enough to get drenched.

But what does the law say about inconsiderate motorists who drive through puddles?

Is it illegal to splash someone with your car?

Under British law, drivers could be hit with a maximum fine for £5,000 if they are caught driving through a puddle which causes a pedestrian to be splashed.

So yes, it is illegal to splash a pedestrian with water from the road whilst driving your car and you could also be slapped with a public order offence if you are seen to deliberately drive through puddles to target pedestrians.

Under section three of the Road Traffic Act 1988, it is an offence to drive "without reasonable consideration for other persons", and this includes any instance of "driving through a puddle causing pedestrians to be splashed".

The maximum punishment is a level five fine of £5,000 in instances where driving "amounts to a clear act of incompetence, selfishness, impatience or aggressiveness".

You are more likely to be be issued with a £100 fixed penalty notice and three penalty points if you are caught.

But if you refuse to pay and take the matter to court you could see a maximum fine of £5,000 imposed.

So next time you are driving in and out of town on rainy days you should maybe think twice and slow down before splashing through that large puddle by the side of the road.

It could be you - and it could cost you.

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