Motorists are being urged by fire services to exercise caution when driving through wet conditions, or face potential fines and up to nine penalty points on their licence. The warning arrives as substantial rainfall is set to lash numerous regions across the UK today, following a weather alert issued by the Met Office.

Areas of South Wales have been placed under an amber weather warning for rain lasting until 9pm this evening (December 15), whilst significant cities including Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent, Durham, Swansea, Cardiff, Plymouth, and Exeter remain under a yellow rain warning extending as late as 3am tomorrow morning (December 16).

Whilst drivers are typically advised to steer clear of the roads in such treacherous conditions unless their journey is essential, they should also be mindful that failing to take additional precautions during rainfall could land them in hot water with the authorities. The Highway Code and legislation emphasise that drivers must not operate vehicles 'without due care and attention', which encompasses endangering pedestrians by speeding through puddles.

According to the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service website: "Driving through water at speeds above a slow crawl can result in water being thrown onto pavements, soaking pedestrians or cyclists. You could face a hefty fine and between three and nine penalty points if the police believe you were driving without reasonable consideration for other road users."

Drivers who are caught splashing pedestrians typically receive a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £100 and could also be given three penalty points on their licence. However, if the case is taken to court, the driver could face a significantly higher fine of up to £5,000.

The penalties are usually determined by several factors, including the level of distress caused by the incident and the degree of inconvenience suffered.

Avoiding soaking pedestrians and a potential fine can be as straightforward as adhering to some basic safety guidelines. Cars often create a substantial splash when they drive through puddles at speed.

Firstly, drivers should slow down and evaluate whether it's safe to bypass the puddle entirely instead of charging through it. However, if road conditions necessitate driving through the puddle, reducing your speed can significantly diminish the size of the splash.

It's important to remember that after driving through a puddle, even one that's only an inch or two deep, you should test your brakes when it's safe to do so, as they may be less effective due to the excess water.