Millions of UK motorists could dodge a hefty motoring fine for pressing a button found inside most vehicles on the road. Hayfever can cause motorists to become teary-eyed, sneezy and even distracted behind the wheel with sufferers more at risk over the summer. Around 16 million people in the UK suffer from hayfever, meaning many road users could be at risk. 

According to experts at Yell, road users risk being hit with a hefty £1,000 fine for travelling with hayfever if it starts to divert attention away from the road. The air recirculation switch is usually found on the car dashboard and cools down air inside the vehicle rather than taking it from outside. 

This means that any pollen in the atmosphere will stay outside the cabin  and will not be pushed into the car.

Yell said: "The 'air circulation' or 'recirculation' feature, typically found on a car's dashboard, allows the vehicle to be cooled by recirculating the air already present rather than drawing in air from outside. 

"By keeping your windows shut and using this button that looks like a car with an arrow inside it, you can help alleviate hayfever sufferers' symptoms while driving, and you could avoid being at risk of a fine and causing harm to other road users."

Hayfever is not a notifiable condition, meaning road users are not required to tell the DVLA about the issue to stay on the roads. 

However, Yell stressed that constant sneezing and watery eyes is likely to see road users take their vision away from the road and any potential hazards. 

Yell added: "For those driving with hayfever, it can cause you to become distracted while driving if you have sneezing or watery eye symptoms.

"If you’re travelling at fast speed and sneezing, temporarily closing your eyes could limit your view of the road, which could cause an accident. 

"This can also be said for driving with watery eyes, which can limit your vision when driving. Medications for allergies can also make individuals drowsy, which could severely impact your driving. 

"The Highway Code states you must be fit to drive. If hayfever symptoms or medications impair you, you could be charged with careless or dangerous driving, which is an unlimited fine/discretionary disqualification, with dangerous driving also stating a prison sentence could be imposed."