Drivers are being warned that splashing pedestrians by driving through puddles isn't just inconsiderate, it could also have serious financial consequences.

12:06, Mon, Feb 9, 2026 Updated: 12:07, Mon, Feb 9, 2026

Illustrative stock image of a car door dripping with rain.

Illustrative stock image of a car door dripping with rain. (Image: Getty)

Drivers can be hit with hefty fines for zooming through puddles and soaking pedestrians, an expert says, as weather warnings for rain come into effect in the days ahead. Starting from midday today, multiple locals authorities across London & South East England, South West England, and Wales are under a yellow weather warning for rain, with the Met Office telling residents in affected areas that "heavy rain during Monday afternoon and evening may cause some flooding and disruption to travel".

The warning will remain in place until 11.59pm tonight. Then from 9am tomorrow (Tuesday, February 10) a yellow warning for rain covering six local authorities across Central, Tayside & Fife, and Grampian in Scotland will be in place, also running until 11.59pm. A minute later, a third for the same part of Scotland will come into effect at midnight on Wednesday, covering some of the same local authorities as Tuesday's warning. All three warnings are in place until a minute before midnight on each respective day.

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And with Britons across the UK set for a soaking in the days ahead, drivers are being warned that splashing pedestrians by driving through puddles isn't just inconsiderate, it could also have major financial implications.

Matt Crole-Rees, car insurance expert at Confused.com, said: “Driving through puddles might seem harmless, but it can have serious consequences.

"If a driver is caught splashing a pedestrian, it can be treated as careless or inconsiderate driving. This can result in a £100 fixed penalty and three points on your licence, or in more serious cases, a court fine of up to £5,000."

Besides the legal risks, wet weather can also make for unpredictable driving conditions, he continued. "Drivers have no way of knowing what’s underneath the water, which could include potholes or damaged road surfaces.

Rain-driving issues that could cost you up to £10000

"Standing water also increases the risk of aquaplaning, where tyres lose grip and the driver can momentarily lose control of the vehicle.

To lower the risk of fines and stay safe, Mr Crole-Rees recommends drivers "slow down in wet conditions and stay alert to pedestrians walking close to the road".

"It’s not always safe to steer around puddles, especially on narrow or two-way roads, so easing off the accelerator and passing through slowly can help reduce the chance of splashing pedestrians and avoid putting others at risk,” he added.

You can find the latest Met Office weather warnings and guidance, included all the affected areas, here.