Hay Fever Season Is Here — and It’s Making UK Drivers Less Safe
As another hay fever season hits Britain, a new survey has put a spotlight on a surprising risk: seasonal allergies are affecting how safely people drive.
Volvo surveyed 2,000 drivers who suffer from hay fever and found that 79% say their symptoms have affected their ability to drive safely. A third pointed to June as the worst month.
The findings go further. 5% of drivers reported a near miss that was caused or made worse by hay fever symptoms. 13% admitted taking both hands off the wheel during a sneezing fit, while another 13% said they have kept driving despite severe symptoms. That figure climbs to 19% among 25–34-year-olds.
Younger drivers feel it most
Younger motorists appear more vulnerable behind the wheel. Drivers aged 25–44 are around five times more likely than over-65s to report hay fever-related near misses. More than a quarter of all drivers surveyed say symptoms frequently affect their driving.
What are the symptoms of hay fever?
Hay fever can cause a range of symptoms that affect the nose, eyes, throat, and sinuses – which can severely impact a person’s ability to drive.
Here are the common symptoms:
>>> Frequent sneezing
>>> Runny or blocked nose
>>> Itchy nose, throat, or ears
>>> Red, watery, or itchy eyes
>>> Coughing
>>> Headache
>>> Sinus pressure
Regional differences
London tops the list. 21% of London drivers said their symptoms impact their ability to drive safely often or all the time, and over 30% have avoided driving or changed travel plans because of hay fever.
Welsh drivers reported similar levels of disruption (21%), while the North East had the highest share of people continuing to drive with severe symptoms — one in five (20%).
Can you drive on hay fever medication?
Before getting behind the wheel, check the patient information leaflet and speak to a doctor or pharmacist if you’re unsure how a treatment might affect you.
Do not drive if you feel drowsy or unwell after taking medication.
Always check with a pharmacist or GP before combining hay fever treatments with other medicines.
According to NHS guidance, non-drowsy antihistamines include acrivastine, cetirizine, fexofenadine and loratadine. Others — such as chlorphenamine (Piriton), cinnarizine, diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine and promethazine — can cause sleepiness.
The Volvo survey found that 18% of drivers have felt sleepy or less alert after taking hay fever treatments. Again, younger drivers were hit harder: 34% of 25–34-year-olds reported reduced alertness, compared with just 7% of those over 65.
The bottom line
Hay fever isn’t just an inconvenience — for many drivers it’s a genuine safety issue, especially during peak pollen months. If symptoms or medication leave you less alert, sneezing uncontrollably, or struggling to concentrate, it’s safer to delay your journey or find another way to travel.
