DRIVE SAFE
Drivers warned getting behind the wheel with common illness could see them slapped with £1,000 fine
Plus how you can fight back against the symptoms while in your car
DRIVERS have been warned that getting behind the wheel with a common illness could land them a £1,000 fine and points on their licence.
As the weather warms up and turns dry in the months to come, Brits have been urged to stay on the right side of the law.
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Around one in every four people in the UK suffer from hay fever according to NHS estimates so millions are at risk of being caught out.
Symptoms include itchy eyes, a blocked nose and sneezing even in the mildest of cases.
But it's vital to resist the temptation to rub your eyes when you're on the road as you could be collared for dangerous driving.
Taking your hands off the wheel to scratch that itch or your eyes off the road while you sneeze could see cops charge you with not being in proper control of your vehicle, especially if you get into an accident.
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This can carry a maximum £1,000 fine and three penalty points.
And you could be making things worse for yourself without even realising by making a common air con mistake.
Every car that has an air-con system will have some form of air filter to reduce the amount of pollution and pollen sucked into the car from outside.
Failing to change this regularly can lead to it becoming clogged with pollen particles, meaning that even clean air coming into your motor passes through a layer of pollen before reaching you.
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Thankfully, motoring expert Callum Butler, from , was able to share some top tips for drivers to protect themselves from hay fever this spring.
He said: "If your car has a built-in cabin filter, rely on using your air-con when it’s warm, instead of letting fresh air in through your windows.
What is hay fever?
"Secondly, consider taking a trip to the car wash before and after any long journeys, and have the inside and outside regularly cleaned.
"Pollen and dust tend to hang around, especially in the inside of your car, which could trigger your symptoms before you’ve even set off."
Just make sure to change the filter regularly to prevent excessive pollen build-up.
As long as you do so, another great option to beat the sneezing comes in the form of the recirculation button.
Common driving mistakes that could land you a fine
- Sneezing and itching eyes - £1,000
- Using someone else's driveway - £5,000
- Not keeping the car "well ventilated" - £5,000
- Standing next to your car while drunk -£2,500
- Wearing improper clothing or footwear - £5,000
- Incorrect use of hazard lights - £1,000
Pressing this switch stops your air con from pulling air into the car from outside and, instead, recirculates the air already in the cabin, which has already been filtered.
This means you can stay cool while ensuring an almost pollen-free environment as you drive.
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Callum also recommended wearing sunglasses during the day, not just as a vital protection against glare, but also to stop pollen particles from irritating your eyes.
It comes after a cleaning whizz revealed a 27p hack using a kitchen staple that makes your car seats look brand new.
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