Summer road ready – Taunton car retailer shares top three tips for driving in allergy season
With the recent heatwave, many drivers in Taunton are beginning to feel the familiar tickle of hay fever creeping in. For those planning to spend more time on the road this season, a local car retailer has shared simple precautions to make driving both safer and more comfortable.
The advice follows new research commissioned by Volvo, which found that drivers in the South West have experienced sneezing, itchy eyes, fatigue or reduced concentration behind the wheel, with 88% admitting these symptoms have affected their control of the vehicle.
As a result, a notable 17% of local drivers have said they have delayed journeys, changed routes or avoided trips altogether on high-pollen days, with 44% of local drivers believing hay fever should be considered a road safety issue.
Martin Leach, from Vertu Volvo Taunton on Priory Way, said: “With so many drivers experiencing hay fever symptoms while on the road, it’s important that motorists recognise the impact this can have on their concentration and comfort behind the wheel.
“As we move into the summer months, even small preventative measures can help make journeys safer and more enjoyable, helping local drivers feel comfortable and confident behind the wheel.”
1. Plan trips carefully
“Before making any journey, always check the pollen forecast, and where possible, plan longer journeys for times when pollen counts are lower, such as after rainfall or later in the evening. If a journey can be altered to avoid rural areas, this will limit contact with high-pollen zones and make driving conditions much more comfortable.
“It is also important to keep any medication, tissues and sunglasses within easy reach before driving, while ensuring antihistamines are non-drowsy and suitable for use before getting behind the wheel.”
2. Keep the cabin sealed
“It may seem obvious, but closing windows is one of the simplest ways to reduce pollen exposure. Instead, use your car’s air conditioning to make sure you and any passengers you’re travelling with stay cool. If you don’t already have them installed, you may want to think about fitting effective pollen filters in your car. These work to remove pollen particles from the outside air before they pass through the air vents into the vehicle itself.
“At Vertu Volvo Taunton, our award-winning range of new vehicles feature advanced air purification technology designed to help create a cleaner and more comfortable driving environment. Available on selected models, the Advanced Air Cleaner system can remove up to 99.9 per cent of grass, tree and weed pollen allergens from incoming air.”
3. Maintain the car's interior
“Keeping your car clean is a simple and effective way to reduce pollen within the cabin. Regularly vacuuming seats, mats and surfaces can help remove unwanted pollen that builds up over time. It also helps to frequently wipe down your dashboard to get rid of any dust that may have settled.
“For more advice on driving with hay fever, or if you’re considering a new vehicle that benefits from air purification technology, visit us between 20 May and 10 June, at our new car event. Prospective buyers in Taunton can speak with our expert team and take advantage of attractive offers on award winning models.”
For more information about driving with hay fever and the retailer’s new car sales event, contact Vertu Volvo Taunton on 01823 697800 or visit volvocars.com/taunton.
