Is Hay Fever Causing Drug Driving?

With hay fever symptoms rocketing this summer, the latest research suggests that more and more people are unwittingly drug driving. Using medication to counteract hay fever symptoms could be affecting driving performance. Furthermore, it may cause accidents and land motorists in trouble with the law for drug driving.

Already this summer, there has been an unusually high pollen count. This is causing many problems for allergy sufferers. It also means that people that have a light allergy are affected more than they normally would. To counteract their hay fever symptoms, many people reach for medication. However, many medicines for hay fever can actually put themselves and other motorists at risk.

A recent study has found that 58% of motorists with hay fever have driven shortly after taking hay fever medication. This is despite knowing that their medication could affect driving performance. Furthermore, 10% of motorists admitted that their medication for hay fever had impacted their ability to drive. Many medicines for hay fever cause drowsiness, reduced vision and slower reaction times.

As a result, many people are in agreement that medication should make it clearer about the ability to drive. Especially as driving while under the influence of hayfever medication could constitute as drug driving. Furthermore, the consequences of drug driving can be incredibly serious. It not only puts lives at risk, but it could also lead to a criminal conviction. As well as this, drug driving can cause car insurance premiums to rise dramatically.

Top tips for driving with hay fever:

1. Vacuum
It is important to get rid of all the pollen and dust in your car, so vacuum clean your car thoroughly to remove all traces which could set your allergies off.

2. Use a pollen filter
A pollen filter is invaluable for your car. Make sure it is functioning and replace as necessary.

3. Choose non-drowsy
You can find a non-drowsy medication which can make it safer to drive. However, if you feel drowsy or unwell, stop driving and stay safe.

4. Use sunglasses
Sunglasses can help to protect your eyes from pollen and relieve any pain. However, you should only drive in sunglasses if they do not impact your vision.

5. Keep windows closed
Do not open the windows of your car and use air-con instead. Make sure to set the air-con to recycle so that the pollen levels in your vehicle don’t increase.