Sometimes, driving through a puddle is something that can be quite hard to avoid.

But doing so could land you with a £5,000 fine if it splashes pedestrians, according to police.

It comes after police issued an appeal to find a driver who ploughed through a 20ft puddle and soaked a mum who was pushing her pram in Cambridgeshire last week.

She, her baby and another child who was walking alongside her were left soaking wet, according to our sister paper Wales Online

Cambridgeshire Police have since said that as well as a fine of up to £5,000, the driver could face a public order offence if they are found to have been splashing people on purpose.

Woman with a child in a pram gets an unwelcomed soaking from a passing car

Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is illegal to drive “without reasonable consideration for other persons”, including “driving through a puddle causing pedestrians to be splashed”.

Driving "without reasonable consideration" differs from the offence of driving without due care and attention as it would mean that a third party has been inconvenienced by your driving.

While most people would be handed a fixed £100 penalty the offence can lead to a maximum fine of £5,000 if the driver’s behaviour is found to be “an act of incompetence, selfishness, impatience, or aggressiveness”.

You can also receive between three and nine penalty points on your licence.

National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) guidance is that lower level careless driving offences are considered for a fixed penalty with the offender being offered driver education in most cases.

The CPS' charging guidelines cites splashing pedestrians as an example of driving that "amounts to a clear act of incompetence, selfishness, impatience or aggressiveness" and should be charged.

A spokeswoman for Cambridgeshire Police said: “On Thursday, January 4 around noon, a mother was with her two children, one in a pram and the other walking alongside her near the junction of Pig Lane and Greengarth in St Ives.

Drivers and cyclists battle their way through puddles on Victoria Avenue in Blackley

“Due to the poor weather a very large puddle had built up due to a blocked drain near to the junction which was half way across the road. It was not raining and the puddle, some 20 feet in length, could easily be seen by motorists.

“Unbelievably a motorist drove through the puddle causing the water to soak the three.

“The driver could well have waited to drive around the puddle or drive through it very slowly so as to not cause water to splash anyone on the footpath.”

In 2005 a motorist was fined £150 with three points on his licence after admitting inconsiderate driving.

Jason Evans, 34, was caught by two police officers after he hit a two-inch puddle at 15mph and splashing two workmen.

Confused.com motoring editor, Amanda Stretton added: “Some people might think that driving through puddles is a bit of fun, with others accusing the police in this instance of overreacting.

“However, it can be a serious safety issue for drivers and is highly inconsiderate for pedestrians.

“Firstly, drivers have no way of knowing what the road surface is under the puddle, causing unpredictable driving conditions. Secondly, the water itself can cause the car to aquaplane – where the vehicle’s tyres fail to grip the road and cause the driver to lose control.

“If that isn’t enough, it’s also just incredibly rude and drivers can be penalised, quite rightly, with a huge £5,000 fine.

“Puddle rage really can lead to big fines. To avoid this cost and to ensure their safety, we advise motorists to look out for big puddles when driving, and pay particular attention when there are pedestrians around.”