(Image: PA)
Drivers soaking pedestrians by driving through puddles face fines of up to £5,000.
The warning comes as wet October weather arrives across the UK, with rainfall set to intensify through November and December.
Autumn storms and blocked drains mean standing surface water and deep roadside puddles are becoming common on roads nationwide.
Under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, driving through water to splash people on the pavement is illegal.
The law states: “If a person drives a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or other public place without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road or place, he is guilty of an offence.”
Police officers can issue a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice and three penalty points at the roadside for careless driving.
If the incident is contested in court or deemed severe, magistrates can hand down a level five fine reaching £5,000, along with three to nine penalty points.
Andy Moody, Director at temporary insurance provider GoShorty, warned that licence points bring consequences for motorists.
He said: “Getting 12 points on your driving licence in less than three years could get you disqualified from driving.
“On top of that, getting points on your licence will also result in the increase of your insurance policy, as your insurance provider will want to be informed about all your motoring convictions in the past three years (five in some cases).
“It is for these reasons, as well as to ensure that everyone’s being safe on the road, that it is useful to keep in mind which are the offences that would get you the most points on your licence.”
GoShorty highlighted other driving offences that add points to licences.
Sleeping inside a vehicle while intoxicated can result in up to 10 penalty points.
Supervising a learner driver from the passenger seat while using a mobile phone carries up to six points, while driving with a broken brake light can bring three points.
Motoring organisations urge drivers to adopt defensive driving habits as heavy autumn downpours continue.
Motorists should slow down when approaching surface water whenever pedestrians are nearby.
Drivers can steer around puddles only when lane space permits and oncoming traffic is clear.
Surface water can cause vehicles to aquaplane, while puddles often conceal road defects such as potholes.