A driver who splashes a pedestrian with mud from a puddle faces a fine or arrest, and if intent is proven, up to five years of imprisonment. This was reported by Yevgeny Masharov, a member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation.
If the actions are deemed accidental, they are classified as petty hooliganism. In such a case, a fine of 500 to 1000 rubles or administrative arrest for up to 15 days is provided. However, if intent is proven, when the driver deliberately drove the car into a puddle, the punishment is toughened.
According to Masharov, proving intent is difficult but possible with witnesses or video recordings. The victim must contact the police, file a statement, and provide the car's details. After that, an investigation is conducted, including interviewing witnesses and analyzing camera footage.
If property is damaged as a result of the incident, additional liability arises. For minor damage, a fine of 300 to 500 rubles is provided. If the damage exceeds 5 thousand rubles and is recognized as significant, a fine of up to 40 thousand rubles or imprisonment for up to two years is possible, and for hooligan motives – up to five years.
In the absence of intent, criminal liability is possible only for damage exceeding 250 thousand rubles. In this case, a fine of 120 thousand rubles or imprisonment for up to one year is provided. The victim also has the right to claim compensation for damage and moral harm.