Motorist charged for splashing schoolchildren

COLCHESTER, England, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- A British motorist accused of soaking a group of schoolchildren and their parents by driving through a puddle is facing a careless driving charge, police said.

Essex police said an officer driving in Colchester, England, witnessed the car in front of him drive quickly through a puddle, splashing a group of young children and their parents on their way to the nearby St. George's Junior School, the Mirror reported Wednesday.

Police Constable Mark Hercules, the officer who witnessed the splashing, said he pulled over the 22-year-old driver.

"His actions caused distress to the young children," Hercules said. "In addition, I pointed out the hidden hazards that lie in large puddles and the fact he could have lost control of his vehicle and caused a danger to other road users."

Hercules said he informed the motorist that he was being reported careless driving under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act.

Police said the driver could be issued a court summons or he might be ordered to undergo a driver improvement course.