Sneezing fits cause incidents of dangerous driving

As the hay fever season sets in, approximately 24 million motorists (72 per cent) will be affected by distracting symptoms - including itchy and watery eyes, blocked or runny noses and frequent sneezing - when behind the wheel.

The research commissioned by esure car insurance estimated that in excess of 2 million UK motorists (7 per cent) have had an accident, near miss, or momentarily lost control of their car as a result of sneezing while driving. And it's not just those behind the wheel who need to be wary of hay fever symptoms, in-car passengers were found to contribute to more than an estimated 670,000 accidents, with sudden sneezing distracting the driver.

More than 20 million in the UK suffer from hay fever symptoms and a worrying 21 per cent of motorists that suffer from hay fever take their hands off the wheel as a result of frequent sneezing. More than half (52 per cent) of motorists surveyed admitted to closing their eyes momentarily when sneezing and almost one third (30 per cent) admitted to taking their eyes off the road to search for tissues in their car when they are experiencing symptoms.

However, it's not just hay fever sufferers that should be aware of such dangers as several other in-car factors were found to trigger a sneezing fit, including dust on the dashboard (32 per cent), perfume (25 per cent) and in-car fragrances or air fresheners (24 per cent).

Professor Brian Lipworth,professor of Allergy and Respiratory medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, comments: "Hay fever sufferers can sneeze up to 50 times per day when they are affected by it - meaning that it's not unlikely for a sneezing fit to happen while driving. When you think that sneezing once while driving at 70mph could mean travelling almost 300ft with your eyes closed, it's clear that this is a very dangerous issue that could potentially lead to a fatal accident. "Consider starting to take hay fever treatments at least two weeks in advance - so around now to combat the affects of tree pollen - and always check the label to make sure it's non-drowsy before getting behind the wheel."

Mike Pickard, Head of Risk and Underwriting at esure, said: "The start of the hay fever season is upon us and it's crucial for drivers to prepare for its highly distracting and potentially dangerous symptoms. Keep tissues at hand in the car, check the pollen count on the weather forecast and do not set out on a car journey if conditions are particularly
severe."

It appears that Londoners are safest from sneezes, with 8 per cent claiming that they have 'never' sneezed behind the wheel. And those from the North East are the coolest customers, with 36 per cent saying that they'd remain in 100 per cent control of their vehicle, despite sneezing while driving. In contrast, those from the South East are the most likely to suffer from hay fever symptoms, with 29 per cent admitting to 'often' having the condition. A worrying 44 per cent of those say that their condition has impaired their driving ability as they are so distracted by the allergy. Longest sneezing fit The longest recorded sneezing fit is that of Donna Griffiths (UK). She began sneezing on January 13, 1981 and sneezed an estimated one million times in the first 365 days. Her first sneeze-free day came 978 days later on September 16, 1983. esure has put together some top tips to help reduce in-car sneezing:

Pollution exacerbates hay fever and as pollen grains become attached to particles from car exhausts, they increase their allergy-inducing effect - so keep windows closed when driving

When possible, avoid going outdoors in the early evening when the pollen count is usually at its highest

Wear wrap-around sunglasses or glasses when outdoors and when behind the wheel

Check your vehicle's ventilation system to ensure a clean air flow

Make sure your air-conditioning system is checked annually - it can help to keep dust, moisture and pollen to a minimum

Vacuum your car regularly - especially in the summer months - and ensure that all surfaces are cleaned with a damp cloth

Non-sedative antihistamine tablets and nasal steroid sprays can be taken regularly, starting at least two weeks before hay fever seasons start

Always ensure any medication you take is non-drowsy behind getting behind the wheel

Don't allow pets to travel in the car as exposure to allergens, such as animal hairs and house dust mites, can exacerbate hay fever Visit the Helpful Resources section on esure.com for further tips on coping with hay fever symptoms whilst driving.