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Between 15% and 20% of people in the UK suffer from hay fever, a seasonal affliction that starts around late May and continues through to August, when grass pollen concentrations are at their height. Hay fever effects different people in different ways, some will have mild symptoms but others find it impossible to live normally when suffering.

Usually, hay fever sufferers complain of the following symptoms:

  • Constant sneezing
  • Snotty nose
  • Stuffy nose
  • Itchy and irritated ears, nose, and throat
  • Headache caused by sinusitis, in turn caused by swelling in the nose
  • Itchy, watery eyes
  • Gritty and irritated eyes
  • Swelling in the whites of the eyes

Driving with allergies

When driving, irritated eyes and sneezing can be a major distraction. A sneeze can cause almost total distraction for several hundred yards when travelling at speed - more than enough time to be involved in an accident.

A widely-reported recent study commissioned by Halfords found that more than one in four drivers (27 per cent) suffer from hay fever and 25 per cent of those who suffer believe that their symptoms affect their ability to drive.

Some people may be surprised that they are liable for prosecution by the police when driving with hay fever. You should therefore be realistic about how your allergies are affecting your driving abilities and if you’ve taken all the appropriate medications and precautions you can before driving, even if you’re not suffering from hay fever or other allergy symptoms.

Due to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 it is against the law to drive a car while unfit through drugs - this covers both over-the-counter and prescription medication, as well as illegal drugs.

Driving advice for hay fever sufferers

  • Only take non-drowsy anti-histamines - the good news is that most modern anti-histamines fall into this category, although you must be very careful to read all the information that comes with your chosen remedy, and be sure that you are not made drowsy
  • If you suffer from hay fever every year, you could begin taking your medication before the symptoms start, say around early May
  • When your allergies are bad, have someone else do the driving - this is easier to arrange if you already car share regularly
  • Check if there’s a pollen filter available for your car - if you have one installed, does the filter need changing?
  • Keep some tissues within easy reach, you don’t want to be wrestling them from your pocket or back while driving
  • If you think you’re going to sneeze, slow down or drop back from the car in front of you
  • Wear sunglasses to keep pollen out of your eyes, wrap-arounds work best for this
  • Close air vents and windows, and if you can set the ventilation to recycle it will help stop pollen coming in to the car
  • Remove any existing pollen by vacuuming the carpets, mats and upholstery

Take some sensible precautions and the hay fever season need be no more dangerous on the roads than any other.

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