Frank wants to know: "What prompted you to introduce this campaign?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Frank - I'm a hay fever suffer myself and I know the problems it can give you when your driving, so we thought we should put out something to help all drivers.

Kris wants to know: "How many drivers do you estimate suffer with the effects of hay fever?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Kris - Over 10 million people suffer from hay fever in this country and it's a fair bet that a good percentage of those will be drivers, I can't find any statistics that indicate how many drivers suffer from hay fever.

Nick wants to know: "What is your role at the IAM?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Nick - I'm the chief examiner, I have 350 volunteer examiners across the UK whom conduct the IAM advanced driving test.

Gavin wants to know: "How many road accidents in the summer do you think are caused by people with hay fever?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Gavin - There are no specific statistics for this category of accidents, but I'm sure hay fever contributes to a fair number. There was a high profile case reported earlier this year where a sneezing motorist veered onto the wrong side of the road, crashed into a car killing a mother and her two children.

Anna wants to know: "What should you do if you feel a bout of sneezing coming on when you're driving?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Anna - What I do is press my finger firmly between my top lip and my nose that usually suppresses the sneeze and often stops it altogether. But it's not the most comfortable feeling but it's better than driving blind because you can't sneeze with your eyes open and hay fever sufferers often get 8 or 9 sneezes one after the other.

Tim wants to know: "What does the IAM advanced driving test involve?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Tim - You might find it helpful to visit our website at www.iam.org.uk.

Jonny wants to know: "Hi Brian, what should hay-fever sufferers do to minimise risks and do you have any advice for employers (i.e concerning company car drivers)?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Jonny - Check the pollen count each day, take medication, but check with your GP or chemist that your medication won't make you drowsy. Keep some tissues handy in the car! See the answer to Anna's question about pressing the top lip.

Lisa wants to know: "I'm not a confident driver would having further instruction be of benefit to someone like myself?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Lisa - All drivers have something to learn and any further driver training you undertake can only be beneficial.

Nelly wants to know: "Do all hay fever remedies carry warnings about whether you can drive or not?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Nelly - As far as I know they do, but always check with your GP and chemist.

Bubba wants to know: "What medication would you suggest taking that helps hay fever but won't make me drowsy?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Bubba - I can't prescribe medication but speak to your GP or chemist.

Gina wants to know: "What's a common mistake that people make when driving?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Gina - Driving too fast and too close to the vehicle in front.

Jonny wants to know: "Bryan, is this really a problem? Can you put the road safety risks from hay fever sufferers into perspective, compared with drink-driving or tired drivers for example." 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Jonny - If you're driving on a motorway at 70mph and you have a bout of sneezing/8 or 9 sneezes one after the other, not only will you be losing concentration, but you'll be driving blind for about half a mile (it's impossible to sneeze with your eyes open) - that's pretty dangerous.

mel k wants to know: "Where do I find out more about taking IAM exam?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Mel - Again visit our website for more information.

Joan wants to know: "Can passengers in the car do anything to help drivers who are suffering the effects of hay fever?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Joan - If they can drive then they could relieve the driver who is suffering.

Amber wants to know: "When is the least pollinated time of day - perhaps we should try and restrict our driving to these times?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Amber - The pollen count is highest mid morning and late afternoon, so if you are a sufferer drive outside of those times.

Kathryn wants to know: "Is there anything we can do to prevent pollen entering the car?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Kathryn - Pollen will always get into your car. It'll get on your clothes, your hair and your skin, before you get into the car so you'll take it in with you. It's a good idea to vacuum your mats, carpet and upholstery to get rid of the pollen and dust. Most manufacturers can also supply pollen filters for your air vents. Drive with the windows shut.

Tania wants to know: "What sort of services does the IAM provide?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Tania - We provide the advanced driving test (and preparation for the test) we have a number of membership services for our members, see our website for further details.

Will wants to know: "How can we make a conscious effort to improve our driving?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Will - By accepting it's probably the most dangerous thing most of us do in our daily routines. It's the one thing we do where we could kill someone or get killed ourselves. There is no such thing as a perfect driver, so why don't you take the IAM advanced driving test.

Tomei wants to know: "How much does it cost to take the advanced test?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Tomei - The IAM skill for life package costs £85.00. That includes membership of the local IAM group who will help you prepare for the test, the preparation itself, and our manual that is the syllabus for the test. The test's fee and so is the first years membership. What a bargain!

Amber wants to know: "Does air conditioning in cars make it better or worse?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Amber – As it draws all the air from the pollen filters and the windows are closed, it's good regarding the pollen. But it dries your eyes and nose, so you may have problems in other areas.

Jon wants to know: "I don't suffer from Hay fever but having seen your mentions that other drivers lose concentration, what's a safe distance to be from the car ahead? " 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Jon - You should never be any closer than a 2 second gap, the easy way to measure this is to watch the car in front go over a shadow, a road joint or something similar and say to yourself "Only a fool breaks the 2 second rule". If you cross the shadow etc before you finish saying that, you're too close. This is the minimum safety gap in ideal conditions in the wet at least double it!

Lizzette wants to know: "Drivers who have passed their regular test still get reprimanded for being unsafe and careless on the road - why will having passed the advanced test make any difference to the way people act when driving???" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Lizzette - Yes!

El wants to know: "For what distance will a person suffering from a bout of sneezing have lost control of their car?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi El - At 70 mph you could lose concentration and vision for up to half a mile, so you won't be in proper control.

Holly wants to know: "Can anyone do the advanced driving test?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Holly - Yes and they should, providing you hold a full current driving licence.

Jill wants to know: "Hi Bryan, is the IAM a charity?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Jill - Yes the IAM is a registered charity.

Cathy wants to know: "Do you think hay fever sufferers should be allowed to buy convertibles?!" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Cathy - Yes they should!

Helen wants to know: "How many members does the IAM have?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Helen - 112,500 and rising.

harve wants to know: "If you are a memeber if the IAM do you get cheaper insurance?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Harve - You can get cheaper insurance, some companies recognise advanced drivers as safer drivers. The main saving is that you don't lose your no claims bonus, because you're a safer driver.

Jake wants to know: "why are people so unaware about the dangers of hay fever when driving?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Jake - They should be aware, it's common sense really, but we're doing this campaign to draw attention to the problem.

Jack wants to know: "What do you think are the major causes of road accidents?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Jack - Human error is the cause of over 90% of all accidents. Vehicle error and environmental conditions cause very few. (Drivers should notice it's icey before they set off!)

J wants to know: "Do you think the normal driving test is a proper test of someone's driving abilities?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi J - The basic driving test (The L test) is just the beginning of the learning experience, not the end of it.

Almaida wants to know: "Do you think people should have to re-take their driving test after a period of time?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Almaida - In an ideal world, yes. But there are limited number of driving examiners and thousands of new drivers coming through the system every year. There are over 32 million full licence holders in the country, if we did have a re-testing regime, I suspect most of us would be dead before it would be our turn.

Nadine wants to know: "How long has the IAM been around?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Nadine - We celebrate our 50th Anniversary in 2006.

Jim wants to know: "Do we, in the UK have a higher number of car accidents than other countries?"  

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Jim - It's difficult to make accurate comparisons because of the different number of drivers/vehicles and the different types of roads and mileages etc. We kill 3,500 people on our roads every year, so there is plenty to be done, other countries, particularly the third world have a proportionally worst record than we do.

Kevin wants to know: "Having driven in Europe I found that there is a much better understanding of motorway driving than there is in this country, do you think that an introduction motorway driving techniques to the basic test would improve the standard of driving on the motorways and thus reduce the number of accidents and hold ups on the motorways in this country? " 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Kevin - Yes! But not all parts of the country have access to motorways which is why it isn't included in the basic driving test.

Harry wants to know: "Do you think the pollen filters you have mentioned, will ever be fitted as standard on new motors? " 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Harry - They are on many models, but they have to be changed regularly.

Mark wants to know: "Can motorcyclists take the IAM test?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Mark - Yes, see our website for details.

Kim wants to know: "What can everyone do today to become a better driver?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Kim - Take the IAM test. But right now, slow down and make sure you have a nice safety gap between you and the vehicle in front and see my answer with regards to the "2 second rule".

Almaida wants to know: "What car do you drive?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Almaida - Top of the range Mondeo, with pollen filters!

kris wants to know: "can you get install a pollen filter yourself?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Kris - Yes, it's very easy.

Danny wants to know: "What is your opinion of increasing the national speed limit?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Danny - There is a case for increasing the speed limit on some sections of motorway. I favour the continental system of having one limit for fine dry conditions and another lower one for wet/icey conditions. There is also a case for lowering the speed limits on some sections on motorways when motorways merge or there are major junctions.

Bauer wants to know: "Who do you think are the most annoying drivers on the road?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Bauer - If you put the letter "D" in front of the word anger, what do you get? They are the people we have to watch!

Marissa wants to know: "Do you think there should be compulsory accessories in a car for breakdowns, such as an emergency mobile?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Marissa - It's always a good thing to have things that will help you during an emergency. A mobile phone is a good one, so is a fluorescent jacket and a warning triangle.

Ella wants to know: "What does the IAM hope to achieve?" 

Bryan Lunn said:

Hi Ella - Our objective is to improve road safety by raising driving standards. Thus saving lives and avoiding people being injured and lives being changed for the worse.

Bryan Lunn said:

Thanks for all your questions for any further information please visit www.iam.org.uk or call 0208 996 9600. Safe driving!