WINNIPEG — It’s another rainy day in Winnipeg, meaning your chances of getting splashed while walking on a sidewalk are high.
If you do get splashed by a passing vehicle, who is responsible?
Winnipeg police said there are a lot of complaints that come in from pedestrians who get splashed when the snow starts to melt and on rain starts to pour.
Get daily National news
However, there isn’t a law in Winnipeg that penalizes drivers for splashing people – it’s more a common courtesy not to.
You can get a ticket for careless driving, but the pedestrian needs to prove “malicious intent,” according to Winnipeg police.
“It’s so impossible to prove though. You would need a third witness and a license plate number,” said Winnipeg Police Service Const. Rob Carver. “You have to prove the driver intentionally sprayed you.”
Carver said he can’t remember a fine like this actually happening in Winnipeg.
RELATED: Warm weather brings splash hazards
But in Saskatoon and Regina, the cities have bylaws that ticket the driver for the offence. In Saskatoon, a driver can receive a $80 fine for splashing a pedestrian using a sidewalk.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.