Can Using Medinose Reduce Your Car Insurance Quote?

According to a recent press release by car insurance firm Swinton Insurance, the use of over the counter medicines for hay fever can in rare cases, lead to drug-driving convictions if these tablets cause drowsiness, dizziness or confusion. These medications are not distinguished from illegal drugs as far as the Road Traffic Act is concerned. Therefore, it makes good sense to use a hay fever treatment that is drug-free – such as the Medinose (now sometimes sold as Bionase abroad), which uses natural light therapy to combat the symptoms of hay fever.

The Research

Swinton Insurance, the UK’s leading high street retailer of car insurance, surveyed 1,200 online customers and found that 21% of customers weren’t aware that taking hayfever medication whilst driving could possibly incur a penalty for drug-driving. A further 18% would happily take hay fever medication and drive without having read the packaging.

Swinton is reminding motorists that some hay fever medicines can cause side effects which can impair driving. It’s important that drivers are aware of the strength and dosage of the medication they are taking before getting behind the wheel and that they acknowledge warnings and instructions on the packaging as they are there for a reason.

Some hayfever medication may advise users ‘not to take if operating heavy machinery’. Surprisingly, 13% of motorists did not associate driving a vehicle with ‘operating heavy machinery.’ Instead, they only listed cranes, fork lift trucks and factory machinery as items they consider to be ‘heavy’.

The symptoms of hayfever alone can also be hazardous whilst driving as many sufferers have itchy, watery eyes and nose; loss of concentration and repeated sneezing attacks. Swinton is asking motorists to access the severity of their symptoms before driving anywhere, and if the symptoms are too aggressive to consider an alternative mode of transport.

Steve Chelton, Insurance Development Manager at Swinton says, “It’s important that motorists are aware of the serious implications of taking any form of medication when they are behind the wheel. People should definitely pay more attention to medication packaging warnings because they are there for a reason. Whether the drugs are illegal, prescribed, or over-the-counter, the repercussions are the same. Losing or having points added to your licence can cause your car insurance quotes to rise considerably.”