Here’s Why You Should Never Drive Through Puddles
Sometimes it’s unavoidable, but driving through puddles can land drivers with more than a dirty vehicle. Eye-watering fines and penalty points are being dished out more frequently than ever…
Getting Splashed
If you’ve been unfortunate enough to have been splashed by a passing car, you know how frustrating it can be. Unfortunately, it’s an increasingly common occurrence in the UK. According to a study conducted by the comparison website USwitch, one in eighteen motorists has deliberately soaked a pedestrian. Younger drivers are the worst offenders, with 32% of those aged between 17 and 24 admitting to having done it. Around 55% of offenders also admitted that they’d feel little remorse for their actions. However, some areas seemingly have more empathy than others. Scottish drivers were the most likely to regret their actions, whereas those in Yorkshire were the least likely to. Overall, one in three drivers has splashed another road user, whether intentionally or accidentally.
Puddles And Penalty Points
According to section 3ZA of the Road Traffic Act 1998, it’s actually an offence to splash a pedestrian. It also covers both ‘inconsiderate’ and ‘careless’ driving, meaning it doesn’t have to have been deliberate. Nevertheless, inconsiderate driving is much easier to prove. It’s applies when ‘driving amounts to a clear act of incompetence, selfishness, impatience or aggressiveness in addition to some other inconvenience’. When a driver is found guilty of the offence, they can face fines up to £100 and will receive three penalty points on their driving license.
Being found guilty of splashing pedestrians could also make a driver’s car insurance more expensive, too. In simple terms, it means “insurers will see you as a greater risk and your insurance premiums will increase”. According to USwitch’s research, around 33% of drivers would report another for splashing other road-users; a process made much easier with smart phones and the UK’s extensive CCTV coverage. So, the next time you’re driving in or after heavy rain it might make sense to watch out for puddles and vulnerable road users. Failure to do so can prove a costly mistake in the long-term.
Millions Of British Motorists Are Driving On Bald Tyres – https://autoserveclub.co.uk/blog/millions-of-british-motorists-are-driving-on-bald-tyres/
All The In-Car Tech That Can Fight Off The Winter Cold – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/all-the-in-car-tech-that-can-fight-off-the-winter-cold/
