Overview

• Met Office forecasts high pollen levels across England and Wales as hay fever season peaks and affects around 10 million people annually.
• Symptoms such as watery eyes, sneezing and fatigue can impair vision and concentration, breaching Highway Code rules on driver attention.
• Motorpoint expert Tim Rodie warns motorists risk fines up to £2,500 and licence points if hay fever symptoms compromise safe driving.
• NHS guidance highlights that sedating antihistamines can slow reaction times, impair coordination and produce false positives on roadside drug tests.
• Drivers are urged to assess symptom severity before setting off, maintain car cleanliness and replace pollen filters regularly to reduce risks.