Experts are warning that motorists could be fined for driving with hayfever symptoms, which can often affect sufferers in a number of ways.
According to the NHS, hayfever is usually ‘worse’ between late March and September, meaning we’ve now entered that glorious period of feeling very sniffly indeed.
Symptoms include sneezing and coughing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy, red or watery eyes, an itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears, loss of smell, pain around your temples and forehead, a headache, an earache or simply ‘feeling tired’.
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Needless to say, some of these don’t exactly make for prime driving conditions, with experts saying they could even be classed as ‘failure to have proper control of the vehicle and a full view of the road,’ which is punishable by an £1,000 fine according to the Highway Code.
Craig Forbes, motoring expert at Peter Vardy, told the Sun: "Drivers must take responsibility for assessing their own fitness to drive when experiencing symptoms.
“There are ways to minimise symptoms of hay fever during spring, but if your eyes are extremely watery and you feel unwell, your driving could be impaired and you may wish to consider alternative travel in order to avoid a fine."
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According to the experts at Peter Vardy, there are a number of things allergy sufferers can do to stay safe on the roads.
- This includes – perhaps the most simple and effective tactic – planning your journey around the pollen forecast, which is available through the Met Office and lets people find out when pollen levels are expected to be particularly high.
- Alternatively, you could try using an in-car diffuser or putting drops of essential oils on your air freshener, with lavender, peppermint and eucalyptus oils all boasting anti-inflammatory properties to help naturally unblock stuffy noses.
- There’s also over-the-counter medication you can use – although make sure what you’re using is non-drowsy. Simply check the information leaflet to confirm if you can drive, or speak to a GP or pharmacist.
- This one may seem obvious, but it's probably fair to assume that some of you might not think to clean your car – we get it, it’s a pain, but wiping down and clearing the vehicle may help rid it of any pollen particles, while vacuuming and dusting can also help get rid of pollen dust on the dashboard and seats.
- Keep the car windows closed, which can not only prevent pollen being directly blown inside, but also from getting into your eyes and obscuring your vision.
- This one may not always be an option, but if you can, avoid rural locations. This is because hay fever symptoms can become worse in the countryside, where there’s often pollen blowing around in large, open spaces. If you need to go to a rural area, consider choosing a different destination or asking someone else to drive.
Topics: Health