Sneezing blamed for crashes

Apr 25 2008

SNEEZING is being blamed for up to two million incidents a year of drivers losing control of their cars.

With the hay fever season just around the corner, insurance company esure is urging motorists to be aware.

It is estimated some 24 million motorists - almost three-quarters of all drivers in the UK - will be affected by hay fever symptoms.

Research by esure found that more than two million UK motorists have had an accident, near miss, or momentarily lost control of their car as a result of sneezing while driving.

Professor Brian Lipworth, professor of allergy and respiratory medicine, at Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, says: "Hay fever sufferers can sneeze up to 50 times per day when they are affected by it, meaning that it's not unlikely for a sneezing fit to happen while driving.

"When you think that sneezing once while driving at 70mph could mean travelling almost 300ft with your eyes closed, it's clear that this is a very dangerous issue that could potentially lead to a fatal accident."