When nature awakens, a stressful time begins for many allergy sufferers — with direct consequences for road safety. Hay fever not only leads to sneezing fits and watery eyes, but can also significantly impair your ability to react. What at first glance appears to be a seasonal health problem quickly develops into a serious source of danger when travelling by car — with underestimated risks for drivers and other road users.
The invisible danger
Avoiding hay fever when driving is essential for allergy sufferers. Even a single sneezing fit can have dangerous consequences in city traffic. The restrictions caused by pollen allergies are often underestimated in road traffic — with potentially fatal consequences.
Pollen in spring — allergies on the street
When the pollen flies in spring, the risk for drivers with allergies increases. Watery eyes, an itchy nose and sneezing fits impair vision and affect concentration. Anyone who suffers from hay fever should not ignore these symptoms when driving.
Flying blind due to sneezing — a real danger
One sneeze at 50 km/h means 14 metres flying blind. Repeated sneezing fits or watery eyes significantly increase the risk of accidents. Especially in city traffic, this can lead to dangerous situations — for drivers and other road users.
Underestimated effect of anti-allergic drugs
Many antihistamines make you tired or slow down reactions. Modern preparations can also affect your ability to drive. Anyone taking medication for hay fever should seek medical advice before driving and pay attention to the warnings.
Prevention against pollen in the vehicle
Regularly changing the pollen filter, closing the windows when driving and avoiding journeys when there is a lot of pollen help. Cleaning the interior also reduces the pollen load. This can significantly reduce symptoms.
Responsibility and self-protection for allergy symptoms
Drivers should take their symptoms seriously. Anyone who has to sneeze a lot or has poor eyesight should take a break. Employers in the fleet sector should sensitise employees and pay attention to road safety.
More educational work
Hay fever in road traffic is not a niche topic. Millions of people are affected. More education, driving lessons on health issues and social awareness of the risks of allergy-related impaired driving are needed.
short facts
- A sneezing fit at 50 km/h can cause up to 14 metres of blind driving — a critical distance in city traffic.
- Watery eyes and itching significantly reduce the ability to react — particularly dangerous in heavy traffic.
- Some anti-allergic drugs make you tired: be sure to check for side effects before taking them.
- Close the windows, change the pollen filter regularly and take a break if you have severe symptoms — this increases safety.
