A DRIVER was fined 500 yuan (US$74) for splashing a pedestrian waiting at a bus stop in Nanshan District last week, after the victim indignantly reported the offense to local traffic police.

The pedestrian was waiting at the bus stop near Litchi Park Station on Metro Line 12 on Thursday afternoon when the driver sped through a puddle on Dongbin Road, drenching the passenger with a wave of muddy water.

Upon receiving the complaint, traffic police promptly launched an investigation and confirmed the report to be true.

According to local traffic safety regulations, the driver did violate the rules, incurring a fine of 500 yuan.

The driver has already paid the fine and expressed remorse, saying he would learn from the lesson, observe more carefully, and slow down when passing bus stops and crosswalks — especially on rainy days.

As the city has entered a season of frequent rainfall, local traffic police remind all drivers to pay close attention to road conditions and drive cautiously.

If a driver traveling too fast on a rainy day splashes muddy water all over a pedestrian, this constitutes an infringement upon the pedestrian’s property rights and interests. The victim may report the incident to the police for assistance. They can note down the license plate number, time, and location, and report it through the 12345 mini-program or by calling 110.

In many cases, splashing water doesn’t just affect pedestrians — it can also affect other vehicles on the road. For instance, water thrown up by a high-speed vehicle can completely obscure the windshield of the car behind or in the adjacent lane, which can easily trigger rear-end collisions or other traffic accidents.

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$6,700) and receive penalty points on their driver’s license. (Debra Li)