Hay fever season typically runs from late March to September in the UK
As the weather gets drier, pollen levels will start to rise, meaning hay fever sufferers will have to start taking their antihistamines again.
One in five people are affected by the allergy, with the first cases occurring between March and May, when it’s warmer, humid and windy.
Hay fever causes sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes, all of which can affect your concentration when driving.
Many believe taking an antihistamine is the best way to deal with the problem, however, a warning has now been issued about using these drugs while behind the wheel, as they could lead to some serious convictions.
While driving after taking hay fever tablets is legal, specialist insurance broker, ChoiceQuote, strongly advises drivers to be cautious of the side effects.
Phil Leese, Taxi and Specialist Motor Trading Manager, at ChoiceQuote, said: “Hay fever sufferers should be mindful of taking medication, such as antihistamines and allergy tablets before getting behind the wheel.
“Some of these tablets have sedating and drowsy effects, which could impact their ability to drive. Drivers could be fined £1,000 and receive up to three points on their licence.
“If you need to take medication for your hay fever, you should always read the label first to check whether it’s safe to use alongside driving.
“However, you shouldn’t avoid medication completely either. Motorists could be hit with a hefty fine if they are driving with strong hay fever symptoms. Driving while experiencing intense pollen allergy symptoms can be classed as ‘failure to have proper control of your vehicle and full view of the road’.”
Top tips for driving with hay fever
Allergy symptoms for hay fever sufferers are inevitable. However, there are a few things drivers can do to help reduce the effects when driving.
Keep your car well-maintained
Regularly clear dust and pollen from your car by vacuuming carpets, mats and upholstery. This will help reduce any irritants before your set off on your journey.
Drive with the windows closed
Keeping your windows closed when driving and setting your air-conditioning to recycle will reduce pollen concentrations in your vehicle.
Take non-drowsy medication
Make sure you read the label or speak to a pharmacist when choosing the correct non-drowsy hay fever medication. Drowsy medication can cause you to fail drug driving tests, putting you and other drivers at risk.
Plan your journey
Hay fever sufferers should check the pollen count each day if you plan to drive and consider an alternative mode of transportation if the pollen count is high. Drivers should avoid areas with high pollen count. If you feel symptoms starting or beginning to worsen, pull over in a safe place.
