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Drivers who suffer from a common illness have been urged to make one check before getting behind the wheel in warm weather to prevent accidents and fines. Whilst many Brits are pleased to experience long days full of blue skies and sunshine, a significant number of drivers are starting to feel the effect of hay fever.
Nevertheless, Rhydian Jones, car insurance expert from Confused.com, highlighted that hay fever is not just annoying, for drivers who experience it behind the wheel, it can also be particularly dangerous. He warned: “As the warmer weather finally hits, hay fever sufferers will be dreading the peak season of allergies. And, those who are affected by tree pollen might have already been feeling it.
“If you’re a driver, symptoms could be problematic when out on the road. That’s as our research found how almost 1 in 5 (17 %) drivers have had an accident or near-miss due to their hay fever. And if you need to take medication to keep your hay fever symptoms at bay, your driving could be impacted even further.”
Whilst drivers may feel that hay fever is only a mild inconvenience, its symptoms include drowsiness, which can result in drivers needing significantly more time to react to sudden scenarios on the road.
According to a study conducted by Confused.com, 17 % of drivers stated that they have previously had an accident or experienced a near-miss due to hay fever.
As a result, it is vital that motorists make sure they take measures to prevent hay fever from distracting them from the road or avoid driving until they are feeling better.
Similarly, Rhydian recommended that drivers who take medication to reduce hay fever symptoms make sure they are still safe to get behind the wheel, with those who fail to do so risking a fine of up to £1,000.
He advised: “If you need to take medication, you should be aware of the risks when it comes to driving. Some can have a sedating effect, which could impact your driving ability. And for drivers who’ve had an accident or near miss, more than a quarter (27 %) said it was because of having delayed reaction or coordination.
“So if you need to take medication, always read the label first to check whether it’s safe to use alongside driving. Or if you’re not sure, speak to a doctor or pharmacist.”
Finally, the motoring expert advised drivers that they can reduce the risk of pollen triggering their hay fever during hot weather by making sure their car’s interior is cleaned regularly.
He added: “Regularly cleaning the inside of your car can help to keep pollen levels low. Hay fever affects thousands of drivers, and it can be a real pain for those who suffer at this time of year.
“But taking the right measures before driving can keep you and other road users safe while on the road.”
