Motorists suffering with hay fever are being urged to avoid driving when their symptoms are at their worst. Car insurance experts at Quotezone.co.uk warn that hay fever symptoms could make driving more dangerous this spring. Many drivers are already experiencing symptoms such as sneezing, runny noses, itchy throats, and watery eyes.
Sneezing while driving, reaching for tissues, or dealing with irritated eyes can cause motorists to lose focus behind the wheel. At motorway speeds of 70mph, closing your eyes for just a second could have serious consequences. If an accident occurs, drivers could face a charge of driving without due care and attention, which carries a fine of up to £2,500 and three to nine penalty points.
Experts also warn that hay fever medication could put drivers at risk of hefty fines, as many are unaware of the laws surrounding over-the-counter treatments for allergies. The UK’s drug driving law does not differentiate between illegal drugs, prescription medication, or over-the-counter remedies – any substance that impairs driving could lead to a conviction.
In England, Scotland, and Wales, it is illegal to drive with drugs (even legal ones) in your system if they affect your ability to drive. This means that antihistamines, commonly taken to relieve hayfever, could result in charges, as they can cause drowsiness, slower reaction times, reduced coordination, and blurred vision.
A drug-driving conviction carries severe penalties, including a minimum one-year driving ban, unlimited fines, up to six months in prison, and a criminal record. Additionally, the offence remains on a driver’s licence for 11 years.
Greg Wilson, CEO and car insurance expert at Quotezone.co.uk said: “As we approach hay fever season, we want to let motorists know the risks of driving with hayfever, and how their symptoms and medication could land them in trouble with the law. To help keep everyone safe on the roads, it is important to understand the risks associated with driving through hay fever season. So many of us suffer with symptoms, but it is important to remember that medications for hay fever often come with strong side effects, including drowsiness and reduced reaction times. This makes getting behind the wheel very dangerous, and if the worst were to happen you could face serious consequences. It is also important to remember symptoms can impair your driving, as sneezing, experiencing watery eyes or reaching for tissues while driving could put you and other road users at risk. It is unrealistic for drivers to pull over every time they need to blow their nose, sneeze or wipe their eyes frequently on their journey, which is why getting behind the wheel when the pollen count is high is particularly dangerous. If you suffer from allergies and take medication to relieve the symptoms, it’s imperative to check that what you are swallowing won’t cause drowsiness before you get in the car. Even if you take your daily dose of over-the-counter antihistamines before you set off on a regular drive, if your medication warns of drowsiness, you are putting yourself and other road users’ lives in jeopardy and risking serious penalties. We’re urging drivers who suffer from summer allergies to check the details of their medication to avoid these serious charges, and if in doubt of the effects, speak to a pharmacist.”
Top tips to help keep hay fever symptoms at bay while driving;
- Have the car well stocked – keep tissues and spare medication in the car at all times incase symptoms strike unexpectedly
- Keep windows closed and sunglasses to hand – to help protect eyes from pollen
- Fit a pollen filter – to help reduce pollen in the vehicle
- Bring a bottle of water with you – to help sooth symptoms and enable you to take medication on the go
- Wipe down – clean the car regularly to help keep dust and pollen to a minimum
- Download and check the pollen warning app before setting off
The NHS strongly advises those who take medications prone to drowsiness – such as chlorphenamine, cinnarizine, diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine or promethazine – to avoid driving and operating machinery.
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