'A convicted driver could be fined $5,000 and upwards ...'- A SPLASH could cost you!

Laranzo Dacres, Gleaner Writer

Creating a splash may be more costly than you think! According to Superintendent Radcliffe Lewis, head of traffic at the Jamaica Constabulary Force, motorists found guilty of splashing pedestrians could have the book thrown at them.

"It is an arrestable offence and the driver can be charged," said Supt Lewis.

Lewis, however, said splash victims rarely report such incidents.

Pedestrian Dwayne Brown said he remembers his experience as if it were yesterday. He recounted that while awaiting a bus to take him to church one Sunday, he was suddenly covered with water from head to toe.

A motorist had just sped through a puddle of water in front of the IT technician and had drenched him.

Brown, whose Eddie Domani designer pants were ruined by the splash, said he was unaware the matter could have been reported to the police.

"I had no idea there was redress under the law," he said. "But, honestly, I didn't wish that driver well that morning!"

On the other hand, Lewis pointed out that if a pedestrian damaged a vehicle in retaliation for having been splashed, that pedestrian could also be punished by law.

"Such a splash victim could be charged for malicious destruction of property," he explained.

According to the police officer, there have been cases where motorists have been arrested for splashing pedestrians who have been persistent in pressing charges. "In such cases, a convicted driver could be fined $5,000 and upwards," he noted.

According to the traffic cop, pedestrians who have been victims of splashing could make a note of the vehicle's licence plate number and give a statement at the nearest police station. "When that is done, the police would carry out an investigation to see if the report was authentic," he said.

"In fact, if there were witnesses to the incident, their statements could be used to substantiate the police report and if they could identify the driver involved, that would also help the pedestrian's case," Supt Lewis told Automotives.

The traffic cop had a word of advice for motorists.

"When the road is wet, a driver should drive slowly and be sensitive to the welfare of other drivers and pedestrians," he said.

Motorist and college student Keehon Moore says he is always careful when driving on wet roads, as he remembers the time before he owned a vehicle.

"I used to take the bus at one point in my life and I know how it feels to be splashed. So, I try my very best to avoid splashing any pedestrian," he said.

'inconsiderate'

Student Shellesha Coley says she believes drivers who splash pedestrians are "inconsiderate beings".

"I have been splashed while travelling from school. I flung a stone at the vehicle involved, but I don't know if the stone made contact because I didn't wait to see!" she disclosed.

Driver Shanique Ellington argues that when pedestrians get splashed it is not usually done intentionally.

"On the two occasions when this has happened to me, I really felt bad, but there was no opportunity for me to apologise," she said. She explained that the first time it happened, there was a pothole filled with water which she was unaware of until she fell in it and on the second occasion, it was raining heavily and the victim was standing near a puddle.

"You can't really tell how high the water is until you fall into the pothole," Ellington added.

But Supt Lewis said some of the incidents could be avoided if motorists paid attention to their speed.

"The effects of driving on a dry roadway is not the same as when a motorist is travelling on a wet road surface. So, motorists have to be always conscious of that fact. As a matter of fact, I think consideration should be given to introducing a wet speed limit," he said.