With the arrival of warmer temperatures over Easter weekend, pollen counts are expected to soar and will no doubt sting a lot of drivers.

Motorists will be desperately relying on their antihistamines to keep their symptoms at bay.

But they should be aware that they could face a fine and driving ban for taking certain medication if it affects their driving ability.

Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at Confused.com, says: “Our research found that over half (58%) of motorists suffering from hay fever driven after taking antihistamines and around 10% of those had felt the effects of the medication while driving.

“Some hayfever medications, such as chlorphenamine, hydroxyzine and promethazine, are known to cause drowsiness as a side effect.

"Drivers who are confused about which drugs can affect their ability to drive should speak to their doctor or pharmacist for clarity.”

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If a police officer deems you to be unfit to drive as a test of taking drugs then you’ll be arrested and can have blood and urine test at the police station.

Neil Worth, GEM road safety officer, said: “Some medicines, including those used to treat hay fever, can have an effect on your ability to drive safely.

"They can affect your vision, your hearing, your reaction time, your perception of risk and your ability to carry out a variety of tasks.

"Your vision may be blurred, and you may also find it hard to focus or pay attention.

"Symptoms like this make you much more likely to be involved in a collision."

Asthma UK suggests sufferers take their prescribed preventer medicine to soothe irritated airways so they are less likely to react to the pollen trigger.

Hay fever medicines such as antihistamines can stop the allergic reaction that triggers asthma symptoms and keep itchy eyes and runny noses at bay.

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The charity added: "Everyone with asthma should keep their blue reliever inhaler with them at all times in case of an emergency."

Sonia Munde, Head of Services at Asthma UK, told Mirror Online : “A deadly pollen bomb is due to hit this week, putting people with asthma at risk of a potentially life-threatening asthma attack.

"Around 3.3million people with asthma are affected pollen, which can cause symptoms such as wheezing, a tight chest or coughing.

“Trees have been releasing their pollen for several weeks, but the warm spring  weather  is going to make these pollen levels spike.

"If you’re already getting symptoms, it’s not too late to help yourself stay well."