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Original poster

Think about reporting driver who splashes pedestrians?

69 replies

FurierTransform · 06/09/2024 09:46

I saw a car splash a family walking with two toddlers this morning - 2 parents, 2 kids near a giant puddle in road.
It was obvious what was going to happen, one of the parents pulled the kids away from the kerb as far as possible & actually stepped to the curb & held their hand up in a 'stop' type signal but driver ploughed on regardless.

I asked them if they were ok as the kids were crying & covered in road grit, & the parents were washing the kids eyes out with a flask of water, but they said it was fine & I went on my way.

I did get the registration of the car. I vaguely remember reading that this isn't technically legal to splash pedestrians but now after the fact it occurs me how serious this could have been, & could easily cause eye infections in infants etc if they do it again
So i'm thinking as I have the registration & witnessed it, is it worth reporting it?

i've honestly no idea how I would go about doing that having never contacted the police outside of an emergency, or if it would be considered a waste of time/police resources, but views welcome!

YANBU = yes report it

OP posts:
Blouseybiggal · 06/09/2024 11:15

Well, the police don’t seem to be able to arrest and charge sexual abusers and rapists, can’t stop or prosecute shoplifters, don’t come out to car break ins or house break ins any more - just give a crime number for insurance, don’t seem to be able to do much about county lines drug dealing and seem to have little affect on rising knife crime, but I’m sure they’ll find the time and resources to come and investigate the splashing of pedestrians by a car in one of the rainiest days we’ve had all year.
No doubt they’ll be all over that, what with the risk of eye infections or whatever… FFS

randoname · 06/09/2024 10:54

Not sure where you live but some police forces definitely log and act on this sort of thing!

Think about reporting driver who splashes pedestrians?
MouseofCommons · 06/09/2024 10:47

Yanbu. If you know enough details then report.
Drivers are meant to be watch out for large puddles and avoid splashing pedestrians.

orangesandlemonssaythebellsofstclements · 06/09/2024 10:46

BooToYouHalloween · 06/09/2024 09:50

Do you drive? I ask because if not you may not be aware of how many hazards drivers are constantly on the lookout for and unfortunately a puddle isn’t one of them unless it looks so deep the car will get stuck. It’s also likely the car may not have had any space to drive round the puddle (eg if it was a one lane road) as that would mean swerving into oncoming driving to avoid the puddle, potentially causing an accident. Or there may have been a motorbike on their right hand side. The driver may also not have been able to just break suddenly upon seeing the puddle if there were cars behind him.

I appreciate it’s unpleasant for the family and I’ve also been on the receiving end of car splashes but You’re not meant to break suddenly or swerve for animals so I can’t imagine the rules are any different for a puddle and I’m not sure what the point of reporting the car would be.

You should not have a licence.

orangesandlemonssaythebellsofstclements · 06/09/2024 10:45

PLEASE report it. I am so sick of drivers doing this and getting away with it. It's disgusting behaviour.

Luio · 06/09/2024 10:34

BooToYouHalloween · 06/09/2024 09:50

Do you drive? I ask because if not you may not be aware of how many hazards drivers are constantly on the lookout for and unfortunately a puddle isn’t one of them unless it looks so deep the car will get stuck. It’s also likely the car may not have had any space to drive round the puddle (eg if it was a one lane road) as that would mean swerving into oncoming driving to avoid the puddle, potentially causing an accident. Or there may have been a motorbike on their right hand side. The driver may also not have been able to just break suddenly upon seeing the puddle if there were cars behind him.

I appreciate it’s unpleasant for the family and I’ve also been on the receiving end of car splashes but You’re not meant to break suddenly or swerve for animals so I can’t imagine the rules are any different for a puddle and I’m not sure what the point of reporting the car would be.

This is completely wrong. If you are driving near pedestrians you should not be going at a speed that means you can’t slow down or stop. Just because your car can go fast doesn’t mean you have a right to coat people in muddy water. It is called driving without due care and attention. As someone who walks to work every day next to busy roads, I can tell you that the overwhelming majority of drivers manage to slow down and avoid splashing people.

Gentleness · 06/09/2024 10:31

It's kind of worrying that a PP suggested puddles weren't something drivers needed to be aware of. Anything on the road surface should flag your attention and cause a brief risk analysis. Every single risk analysis should take into account any pedestrians nearby. This is basics. It's frightening that there are drivers who don't know it.

Monkeysatonthewall · 06/09/2024 10:31

Absolutely report.
It happened to me once. A big van deliberately chose not to slow down when they had a chance, I was on a narrow pavement and got soaking wet. It wasn't pleasant.

Straycats · 06/09/2024 10:31

Please report, nothing may happen but I'd assume the a.......... who did that will do it to others.
Happened once to me and a lorry driver purposely sped up and completely soaked me through with filthy muddy water, I didn't take note of the reg and kick myself all the time that I hadn't. When I see these particular lorries driving I have the rage each time.

Sadmamatoday · 06/09/2024 10:28

BooToYouHalloween · 06/09/2024 09:50

Do you drive? I ask because if not you may not be aware of how many hazards drivers are constantly on the lookout for and unfortunately a puddle isn’t one of them unless it looks so deep the car will get stuck. It’s also likely the car may not have had any space to drive round the puddle (eg if it was a one lane road) as that would mean swerving into oncoming driving to avoid the puddle, potentially causing an accident. Or there may have been a motorbike on their right hand side. The driver may also not have been able to just break suddenly upon seeing the puddle if there were cars behind him.

I appreciate it’s unpleasant for the family and I’ve also been on the receiving end of car splashes but You’re not meant to break suddenly or swerve for animals so I can’t imagine the rules are any different for a puddle and I’m not sure what the point of reporting the car would be.

Disagree, I'm always looking for hazards and never splash pedestrians. Unfortunately there's probably no point reporting as I don't think you can do anything about arseholes

Tagyoureit · 06/09/2024 10:26

BooToYouHalloween · 06/09/2024 09:50

Do you drive? I ask because if not you may not be aware of how many hazards drivers are constantly on the lookout for and unfortunately a puddle isn’t one of them unless it looks so deep the car will get stuck. It’s also likely the car may not have had any space to drive round the puddle (eg if it was a one lane road) as that would mean swerving into oncoming driving to avoid the puddle, potentially causing an accident. Or there may have been a motorbike on their right hand side. The driver may also not have been able to just break suddenly upon seeing the puddle if there were cars behind him.

I appreciate it’s unpleasant for the family and I’ve also been on the receiving end of car splashes but You’re not meant to break suddenly or swerve for animals so I can’t imagine the rules are any different for a puddle and I’m not sure what the point of reporting the car would be.

What condescending bullshit!

As a driver, you shouldnt be driving through puddles at speed as you don't know what's under the puddle. You can burst a tyre on a pothole.

Plus the parent waving their arms about to signal to a driver should be warning enough to slow down.

McT123 · 06/09/2024 10:26

Can't believe the number of people saying that it is only an offence if done deliberately. Would you say the same for a driver that ran someone over?

It's driving without due care and attention. As a driver you should see the puddle and the pedestrians and take steps not to splash them by avoiding the puddle, slowing down, or stopping completely if safe to do so.

Phase2 · 06/09/2024 10:25

You can't stop but you can slow down and avoid splashing people so dramatically. It's a horrible thing to do and regardless of 'too many hazards to look out for, poor driver' sentiments up thread, it's no good if your car starts aquaplaning or you flood the engine if looking it for others is too much.

Pippa246 · 06/09/2024 10:22

LlynTegid · 06/09/2024 09:54

If the driver had made some attempt to slow down and reduce the impact, I would say forget it, but not in this case.

Definitely if it was a BMW or Mercedes given the presumption most owners of those cars have about not observing basic driving standards. I cross a road on the way to the station where some cars turn left. A BMW indicating is rare.

What utter nonsense!! We have a BMW and can assure you we are very considerate drivers.

PuddlesPityParty · 06/09/2024 10:21

Sometimes you can’t just stop! Thats very silly. The driver should have slowed down to a speed where it wouldn’t have splashed.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 06/09/2024 10:21

Yes I 100% would for the reasons others have said

4FoxxSake · 06/09/2024 10:20

BooToYouHalloween · 06/09/2024 09:50

Do you drive? I ask because if not you may not be aware of how many hazards drivers are constantly on the lookout for and unfortunately a puddle isn’t one of them unless it looks so deep the car will get stuck. It’s also likely the car may not have had any space to drive round the puddle (eg if it was a one lane road) as that would mean swerving into oncoming driving to avoid the puddle, potentially causing an accident. Or there may have been a motorbike on their right hand side. The driver may also not have been able to just break suddenly upon seeing the puddle if there were cars behind him.

I appreciate it’s unpleasant for the family and I’ve also been on the receiving end of car splashes but You’re not meant to break suddenly or swerve for animals so I can’t imagine the rules are any different for a puddle and I’m not sure what the point of reporting the car would be.

I really hope for everyone else on the road, you don't drive.

If you do get yourself the highways code app, read it all.

Love from all the other road users.

evilkitten · 06/09/2024 10:18

Report it. Surprisingly, despite being a relatively minor offence, this does tend to get dealt with by police, either with words of advice or with a driving without care fixed penalty.

mushpush · 06/09/2024 10:17

Honestly it's a reportable offence if it's deliberately done - did they swerve into the puddle? Did they speed up to hit the puddle?

Depending on the road you can't just stop suddenly or slow to a stop for puddles, that's really dangerous.

BobbinThreadbare123 · 06/09/2024 10:16

Report for sure - if intended this is an offence. I had to go to hospital once when a vehicle did this to me, because of the grit that got in my eye.

TooBored1 · 06/09/2024 10:15

Seeline · 06/09/2024 10:10

If you're in an area that had as much rain as we had overnight, I think it would be virtually impossible to safely avoid puddles this morning.
I think if it is obvious that the driver deliberately chose to drive through the puddle, or accelerated on approach, I would report. If not, I would put it down as an unfortunate accident.

You don't have to avoid the puddle. You can wait before the puddle to allow pedestrians to safely pass or drive at a speed that doesn't cause an issue.

JohnofWessex · 06/09/2024 10:15

BooToYouHalloween · 06/09/2024 09:50

Do you drive? I ask because if not you may not be aware of how many hazards drivers are constantly on the lookout for and unfortunately a puddle isn’t one of them unless it looks so deep the car will get stuck. It’s also likely the car may not have had any space to drive round the puddle (eg if it was a one lane road) as that would mean swerving into oncoming driving to avoid the puddle, potentially causing an accident. Or there may have been a motorbike on their right hand side. The driver may also not have been able to just break suddenly upon seeing the puddle if there were cars behind him.

I appreciate it’s unpleasant for the family and I’ve also been on the receiving end of car splashes but You’re not meant to break suddenly or swerve for animals so I can’t imagine the rules are any different for a puddle and I’m not sure what the point of reporting the car would be.

The point is that its an offence, pure and simple.

TooBored1 · 06/09/2024 10:14

BooToYouHalloween · 06/09/2024 09:50

Do you drive? I ask because if not you may not be aware of how many hazards drivers are constantly on the lookout for and unfortunately a puddle isn’t one of them unless it looks so deep the car will get stuck. It’s also likely the car may not have had any space to drive round the puddle (eg if it was a one lane road) as that would mean swerving into oncoming driving to avoid the puddle, potentially causing an accident. Or there may have been a motorbike on their right hand side. The driver may also not have been able to just break suddenly upon seeing the puddle if there were cars behind him.

I appreciate it’s unpleasant for the family and I’ve also been on the receiving end of car splashes but You’re not meant to break suddenly or swerve for animals so I can’t imagine the rules are any different for a puddle and I’m not sure what the point of reporting the car would be.

Rubbish. Either the driver was aware of the puddle and carried on regardless or they weren't paying sufficient attention to the conditions around them and didn't see the upcoming hazard.

Either way, they should be reported

Seeline · 06/09/2024 10:10

If you're in an area that had as much rain as we had overnight, I think it would be virtually impossible to safely avoid puddles this morning.
I think if it is obvious that the driver deliberately chose to drive through the puddle, or accelerated on approach, I would report. If not, I would put it down as an unfortunate accident.

Paisleydad · 06/09/2024 10:10

Probably difficult for police to take any action, but if done deliberately, probably common assault. If accidentally, possibly driving without due care and attention. Yes, drivers have a lot to be aware of. Not an excuse. Looking out for hazards is what we are required to do.