One in three UK drivers with hay fever admit to closing their eyes at the wheel, new research reveals
27th May 2026 – Nearly one in three (31%) drivers affected by hay fever have closed their eyes while driving due to their symptoms, according to new research commissioned by Volvo Car UK.
- The Volvo Car UK study shows almost a third (31%) of drivers who are affected by hay fever have closed their eyes while driving
- Survey participants (29%) said June is the worst month for hay fever
- Nearly 1 in 20 have experienced a near miss linked to hay fever symptoms – equivalent to an estimated 535,000 UK motorists
- London records the UK’s highest levels of drivers affected by hay fever behind the wheel
- Volvo’s advanced air purification technology is designed to help minimise the impact of hay fever symptoms behind the wheel
While the UK basks in a heatwave, the warm weather also ushers in the unwelcome peak hay fever season. The new study sheds light on the extent to which seasonal allergies can be a safety issue for drivers, impairing their ability to safely control their vehicles.
The survey of 2,000 UK drivers who are affected by hay fever found that nearly four in five (79%) say their hay fever symptoms, to some degree, impacts their ability to drive safely, with 13% of drivers also admitting taking both hands off the steering wheel during a sneezing fit.
Nearly 13% of respondents said they continued driving despite severe symptoms (rising to 19% for 25–34-year-old drivers). Crucially, 4.9% of drivers surveyed say they have experienced a near miss caused or worsened by hay fever symptoms – this equates to an estimated 535,000* UK motorists.
Volvo’s advanced air purification technology is designed to help minimise the impact of hay fever symptoms behind the wheel. Models including the EX90, ES90 and EX60 feature three- or four-zone climate systems capable of filtering out up to 99.9% of grass, tree and pollen allergens, supporting cleaner cabin air for occupants.
The findings suggest younger motorists may be more vulnerable to hay fever symptoms. Drivers aged 25–44 (9.4%) are around five times more likely than over-65s (1.8%) to report hay fever-related near misses, while more than a quarter say symptoms frequently affect their driving. Hay fever affects around 16 million people in the UK and roughly 26% of adults**.
The research also highlights a second potential safety issue. Nearly one in five drivers (18%) say they have felt sleepy or less alert after taking hay fever treatments, raising concerns about reduced concentration at the wheel during the highest pollen months. Younger drivers are again more affected than older motorists, with 34% of 25–34-year-olds saying they have felt less alert after taking medication for hay fever compared to just 7% of over 65s.
For drivers in London, the results are even more pronounced. Londoners reported the highest rates in the UK when asked if their symptoms affect their ability to drive safely, with 21% saying their driving was impacted often or all the time. Over 30% of drivers living in London also said they had avoided driving or changed their travel plans due to their symptoms. Welsh drivers were almost as likely to be affected, with 21% also saying their driving was impacted often or all the time, while in the North East one in five (20%) admitted to continuing to drive despite severe symptoms, the highest of any UK region.
The study identified June (29%) as the worst month for hay fever sufferers, followed by May (22%) and July (16%). Volvo is encouraging motorists to consider how allergies could impact safety before setting off.
Nicole Melillo Shaw, Managing Director of Volvo Car UK, said: “Many drivers associate hay fever with discomfort or inconvenience, but these findings suggest the safety implications are being underestimated.
“As we enter peak pollen season, motorists should think carefully about how they manage symptoms before driving and take steps to maintain a comfortable cabin environment when behind the wheel. Fortunately, our vehicles offer excellent cabin filtration systems which significantly reduce the amount of pollen allergens that enter the vehicles.”
The research also found a common mistake motorists may be making during peak pollen season, with almost one in five (17%) opening their windows while driving during hay fever flare-ups, potentially increasing pollen exposure inside the vehicle.
While planning ahead and checking medication guidance can help, in-car air quality can also play a role which is why Volvo uses advanced air purification technologies in many of its vehicles.
For more information, please visit Volvo Car UK
ENDS
Notes to editors
* According to the latest DVLA driving licence data, 41,995,944 hold a full UK driving licences. And 26% of adults are affected by hay fever, of which 4.9% (535,028) have had a near miss
** Hay fever affects 26% of UK adults www.gov.uk/guidance.
