'Little-known' £7,500 fine anyone driving with hay fever can get

Hay fever season is in full swing and this year it seems to be hitting harder than ever, causing more discomfort for hay fever sufferers. Despite being an uncontrollable condition, those who suffer from hay fever could risk a fine of up to £7,500 while driving this summer unless they take precautions.

Drivers should always have 100% focus on the road when in control of a car and while it might sound harsh, hay fever symptoms like eye irritation, coughing, and excessive sneezing can cause are an issue that distract driver and its something they can be penalised for.

Moreover, it's not just the symptoms of hay fever that could result in a large fine, but also the medication you're taking could lead to a penalty as high as £5,000. Car maintenance experts at ATS Euromaster have come up with five tips to keep you fine free while suffering with hay fever this summer.

Apply Vaseline

If a driver loses control due to sneezing, irritated eyes or even coughing they could land themselves with a heavy £2,500 fine. To help avoid this experts have suggested applying a few dabs of a petroleum like Vaseline under the nostril before driving. The dust and pollen which would normally go up your nose will then get stuck to the jelly instead, preventing the sneezing.

Clean your car

We all love a clean car but it can actually make a massive difference to those suffering from hay fever. By regularly cleaning your car the dust and pollen particles won’t be building up in your car for long periods of time.

When cleaning the car make sure to hoover everywhere, pick the mats off the floor, in the boot and even on the dashboard. And to reduce how often you need to clean, replace your car mats with rubber versions.

Check what hay fever tablets you are taking

If you don’t want to be handed a £5,000 fine you will want to remember this tip the most. Before thinking about heading out to drive, double check what tablets you are taking as some contain antihistamines that actually make you drowsy, which could see you getting convicted for taking legal drugs if it affects your driving.

Experts shared that "The Road Traffic Act related to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, does not distinguish between illegal drugs and over the counter medicine", so remember to check.

Regularly replace your pollen filters

A lot of the more modern cars on the roads are now fitted with pollen filters, preventing your car being filled with pollen via the air vents but they can get blocked. Simon Waye, expert at ATS Euromaster, said: “Not all cars are fitted with these filters, and this is something we’d expect to see in newer models.

"If you do have one, your pollen filter should typically last 12,000 miles before needing replacing. To be safe, we recommend changing them once a year.

“They can often be changed at home and are usually held in place by clips that can be accessed without any tools. However, you may need a screwdriver if yours has been in place a long time.”

Keep your windows closed

This may be an annoying tip- as keeping your windows closed in the summer seems like a sure-fire way to overheat, but it will help keep your allergies at bay. The good thing is you can still use your air conditioning as the pollen filter should keep the dust and pollen from entering the car.