UK motorists warned of £5,000 fine risk for driving their car today and tomorrow (Image: Getty)
As the UK braces for heavy rainfall, with a Met Office weather warning in effect, drivers are being advised to exercise caution on the roads.
The predicts that much of England will experience cloudy and windy conditions today (October 1), with persistent heavy rain expected throughout the morning and into the afternoon.
A yellow weather warning is currently in place for eastern regions, set to last until 4pm today. Most areas within the warning zone are likely to see between 15-20 mm of rain, while some spots could receive as much as 30-40 mm.
The cautions: “Further rain, locally heavy, will develop for a time on Tuesday leading to potential for some impacts and disruption.”
This evening, sporadic rain and drizzle are forecast across central and eastern England, with additional rain and cloud cover anticipated tomorrow morning (October 2), before conditions improve.
In wet weather conditions, drivers are urged to use dipped headlights, maintain greater following distances and reduce speed. Additionally, they should avoid splashing pedestrians, or risk hefty fines, reports .
Yellow warning of rain affecting East Midlands
— Met Office – E Midlands (@metofficeEMids)
Motorists who fail to heed this advice could face fines of up to £5,000, along with penalty points on their licence.
Splashing pedestrians is deemed illegal under section three of the Road Traffic Act 1988, as it constitutes driving ‘without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road’.
Motorists are being put on high alert as the Highway Code echoes the law’s stance that driving ‘without due care and attention’ for pedestrians is strictly against the rules.
Splashing those on foot by zooming through puddles might land you a £100 fine along with three points on your driving licence. Yet, particularly careless individuals may be saddled with penalties skyrocketing to an eye-watering £5,000 for not considering fellow road users when behind the wheel.
Greg Wilson, motoring expert and CEO at , has issued a stern warning to drivers: “Drivers must be aware of the rules of the road to help keep everyone safe and avoid mishaps like splashing pedestrians, that could end up costing them thousands or adding points to their licence.”
According to the expert: “Motorists need to be extra careful when travelling in the rain, slowing down to allow more time to react to unknown situations and doubling the following distance from the vehicle in front to four seconds. The vehicle will take longer to come to a stop on the wet road.”
Wilson throws in further advice cautioning drivers about deceptive puddles, adding: “Keep in mind that puddles may be deeper than they initially seem so keep an eye out for standing water on the road edge and be ready to react. It’s also sensible to test your brakes regularly when there is surface water.”
He also provided guidance for when vehicles lose grip, urging: “If the car aquaplanes, it’s best to avoid hitting the brake and ease off the accelerator gently with the steering wheel held straight and steady until you can feel contact with the road again.”
Here are Quotezone.co.uk’s tips on driving in wet conditions:
- Slow down and leave space
As soon as it’s time to switch on your wiper blades, you should also drop your speed – stopping distances at least double when the road is wet so you need to leave more room between you and the car in front.
- Prep before you leave
Be sure to double check your tyres, ensuring they have adequate treads for good grip on the road. Use the 20p test if you are unsure – you shouldn’t be able to see the outer band on the coin when it’s inserted in the tread, if you can then your tyres could be illegal and unsafe – you must see a qualified professional.
- Use dipped headlights
Rather than switching on the full beam, using dipped headlights when driving in rainy conditions will allow for as much visibility as possible for yourself and other road users.
- Be mindful of pedestrians
Especially when driving through built-up areas when visibility is reduced because of the rain, remember that more vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists will be harder to see. Take extra care when driving nearby to avoid splashing them or you could end up with points on your licence and a hefty fine.
- Switch on the air con
Turning on the air con whilst driving in wet conditions will help prevent the windows from misting up due to condensation. If the windows lose visibility you could be charged with failure to have full view of the road, resulting in a fine of up to £1000 and 3 penalty points.