In the peak of hay fever season and a reported pollen boom, new research reveals that sufferers are being hit with side effects that are impairing their driving ability, and putting them at risk of being pulled over for drug-driving.

The research by Confused.com comes as new data obtained by the driver savings site through Freedom of Information requests to 31 UK police forces reveals 6,382 drivers were caught driving under the influence of drugs in 2017, up from 2,677 (138%) in 2015. This includes consumption of illegal, prescription and over-the-counter drugs which could have an impact on a motorist’s ability to drive, such as chlorphenamine, hydroxyzine or promethazine – all types of antihistamines to curb symptoms of hay fever.

This year (2018) to-date, police forces have already recorded a whopping 1,106 offences of drug-driving(1), but given the hay fever warning issued by the Met Office and reported pollen boom, more motorists may just be resorting to the stronger meds to keep their symptoms at bay.

But what drivers may not know is that some types of antihistamine, particularly older types, will in fact make you sleepy, and therefore are not necessarily safe to take before jumping behind the wheel. Further research by Confused.com found that over half (58%) of hay fever-suffering motorists have driven after taking medication to help their symptoms. Worryingly, a tenth (10%) of these admit it made them drowsy, their reactions slower or compromised their vision. It’s no wonder more than two thirds (67%) of UK drivers think there should be clearer warnings on packaging of medication that can affect a motorist’s ability to drive.

Similarly, a further two thirds (65%) think doctors and pharmacists should be offering clearer advice when prescribing certain medications.

Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at Confused.com, says: “With summer comes hay fever, but this year it really is stinging a lot of drivers! This ‘pollen boom’ means motorists are going to be desperately relying on their antihistamines to keep their symptoms at bay. But what they may not know is that some can cause drowsiness and seriously affect their ability to drive. If in doubt, they should speak to their doctor or pharmacist for clarity.”