Drivers face fines for splashing pedestrians

As Shenzhen endures heavy rainfall and frequent thunderstorms, local traffic police have warned drivers to avoid speeding through waterlogged roads, which can splash pedestrians. Violators may face penalties of up to 200 yuan (approximately US$27.80).

On Monday, local traffic police publicized two recent “splashing” incidents. In the first, a vehicle in Bao' an District failed to reduce speed, causing water to splash onto a pedestrian' s clothing.

The second incident occurred at a bus stop in Luohu District, where a speeding taxi splashed numerous passengers sheltering from the rain. Both drivers received fines according to the city' s traffic regulations.

Pedestrians are drenched as a speeding taxi sends a spray of water from a flooded road in Luohu District. 

Photo courtesy of WeChat account "深圳交警权威发布"

Many residents applauded the enforcement actions, expressing frustration at being involuntarily drenched by speeding vehicles.

“Sometimes when splashed with water, shouting at the driver is useless because they can' t hear and quickly drive away, leaving us only to be angry,” said local resident Ms. Chen during an interview with Shenzhen Economic Daily. “While water accumulation on rainy roads is unavoidable, if drivers slow down, much of this could be prevented.”

Some drivers expressed the belief that these splashing incidents are not intentional. An unnamed motorist told the Daily, “Visibility is often poor in these conditions. By the time we notice the water ahead, it is sometimes too late to slow down. It' s definitely not intentional.”

The traffic police emphasized that “splashing water by speeding” is not merely discourteous but also illegal. According to the city' s road traffic regulations, drivers must slow down or yield when passing through muddy or waterlogged roads. 

Legal experts highlight that under the Civil Code, anyone who causes harm to another person' s civil rights through negligence bears tort liability. In this context, drivers who splash pedestrians with muddy water by speeding infringe upon pedestrians' property rights. Pedestrians are encouraged to record or photograph offending vehicles' license plates and report such incidents to the police.

Penalties for splashing are harsher in other countries. In the U.K., for example, splashing pedestrians is considered a public nuisance and falls under careless and inconsiderate driving. Offenders may face a maximum fine of £5,000 (US$6,600) and receive penalty points on their driver' s license.