Hayfever treatments worse than drink for drivers

A study by the University of Iowa has revealed that drivers under the influence of antihistamines can be more impaired than drink-drivers.

The study put tested several drivers on a driving simulator, testing their ability to follow another car changing it’s speed at random. Some drivers were tested under the influence of drink, and hayfever sufferers were given the appropriate antihistamines to treat the condition.

Sufferers had slower reaction times, a shorter concentration span and impaired judgement than the drivers under the influence of alcohol (but under the US maximum blood alcohol limit for drivers).

The hayfever sufferers had greater difficulty steering and staying in lane, although drink drivers drove closer to the car in front and less control over the steering.
The effects are blamed on antihistamine’s drowsy effects, and suffers are recommended to seek other treatments before driving.