Driving with HAY FEVER symptoms could land you in big trouble
From driving with hay fever to splashing pedestrians, there are many laws drivers might be unaware of breaking this spring – and they could end up with a hefty fine or penalty points.
New research from the car insurance experts at Comparethemarket reveals some of the driving regulations that often slip under the radar during spring, by uncovering how knowledgeable motorists are – or aren’t - on certain rules of the road. You can view the full study here.
People who drive with severe hay fever symptoms could face fines this spring
As hay fever can cause extreme eye irritation and vision problems, and allergy medication can cause drowsiness, drivers who get behind the wheel while suffering from severe levels of these conditions need to be aware that they are at risk of violating rule 90 of the Highway Code. This rule stipulates that drivers must be fit to drive their vehicle and breaking this law could lead to an unlimited fine or discretionary disqualification, as well as 3-9 penalty points for careless and inconsiderate driving.
Almost two thirds (63%) of drivers are not aware that driving while suffering with severe hay fever symptoms or have taken medication that may impact their ability to control a vehicle could lead to breaking the Highway Code. This makes it the least well-known driving offence in the study. If you take prescription medication or over-the-counter medicines it’s advised to talk to a healthcare professional for advice before getting behind the wheel.
Nearly two in five Brits could face a fine of up to £1,000 for driving in wellies
If you’ve ever driven home from a rainy walk around the park in wellies, you may have unknowingly committed a criminal offence. Although 39% of drivers are correctly under the impression that driving in wellington boots isn’t an offence, it can be if they prevent you from using the foot pedals properly. In this case, you would be in violation of rule 97 of the Highway Code, and risk facing a fine of up to £1,000 or discretionary disqualification.
Another 28% of drivers also risk a £100 fine for being unaware that splashing pedestrians in rainy spring weather is an offence and is classed as driving "without reasonable consideration for other persons."
Julie Daniels, car insurance expert at Comparethemarket, said: “Staying up to date with the latest version of the Highway Code is the easiest way to avoid fines and penalties while driving. Even having just a few penalty points on your licence could cause issues for you, as they stay on record for at least four years and make it more difficult to get good car insurance deals. In fact, our data shows that having between 3-5 points on your license could increase your insurance premium by up to 4% on average, while having 6-8 points could increase premiums costs by up to 62% on average.
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