High pollen counts are expected in parts of the UK this Easter weekend, according to the Met Office's hay fever forecast.
Hay fever affects approximately 30% of the UK’s population, and with that forecast coinciding with the Easter holiday weekend and the expected bank holiday getaway on the nation's roads, hay fever sufferers are being advised to prevent their allergies from affecting their ability to drive safely.
Motoring expert Peter Vardy has revealed that driving while suffering from symptoms of hay fever could land you with a £1,000 fine - according to its latest research, driving while experiencing intense pollen allergy symptoms can be classed as a "failure to have proper control of the vehicle and a full view of the road". You can get more motoring news and other story updates by subscribing to our newsletters here.
Craig Forbes, of Peter Vardy, said: "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."
READ MORE: How you could invalidate your car insurance without even knowing
Tips for safe driving during hay fever season.
Plan your journey around the pollen forecast
Check the weather and pollen forecast before you set off. The Met Office forecast is updated throughout the hay fever season and provides an early warning when the pollen count is predicted to be high. If you’re worried about your ability to drive due to high pollen forecasts, consider alternative travel plans or ask someone else to drive. You could be fined £5,000 for driving with your pet in the car- - if you don't follow the rules. Read more here.
Use essential oils on your air freshener
Consider using an in-car diffuser and using drops of essential oils to combat your symptoms. Lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus all have anti-inflammatory properties and can unblock stuffy noses naturally. If you don’t have an in-car diffuser, drop the oils on an old air freshener and hang it near your air conditioning vent to reap the same benefits.
Take non-drowsy allergy medication
If you have purchased over-the-counter medication, always check the information leaflet as to whether you should drive or not. If it states a side-effect may be drowsiness, it's probably best to be cautious and not get behind the wheel. Non-drowsy medications can be taken to alleviate hay fever symptoms, but always ask your GP or pharmacist if you are in any way unsure about driving.
Clean your car
It’s important to clean your car regularly throughout pollen season, so as to get rid of any pollen particles that make their way into the vehicle. Doing so will prevent the build-up of pollen inside the car that can worsen your symptoms.
Keep car windows closed
Closing your windows while driving not only prevents pollen from being directly blown into the vehicle, but also from flying into your eyes and impairing your vision.
Avoid rural locations
Try to pick a route that doesn’t include driving through rural locations. Hay fever symptoms can be exacerbated in the countryside, most likely due to open spaces blowing around pollen and thus affecting those who are allergic more severely.
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