Safe Speed Forums

The comment about sneezing in IanH's fatals thread got me thinking.

Sneezing really does have a profound effect on one in terms of driving a car.

I find I get plenty of warning of an oncoming sneeze and try to put myself out of harms way to whatever exent is possible - especially as I find when I DO sneeze, I find I sneeze THREE times, almost without expection. However on occasions it is very difficult to take much mitigating action

I'd welcome biews on "coping with sneezing". Paul - feel free to move this thread if you want.

Try it on a motorbike

:shock:


...while wearing a helmet.....

I found this a real problem - until I discovered Honda Accords in the early 80s. Aircon with windows shut instead of windows down to eliminate the temperature build-up was a godsend to me (I am allergic to a lot of stuff and rhinitis is the second most common symptom to asthma in me).

Sneezing involves involuntary muscle movement - that's bad, and normally also involves closing the eyes as a reflex. That's worse.

I have two 'coping strategies' depending on hazard environment.

In a high-hazard environment - for example while a 'situation' is developing or in a busy urban environment - I'll 'block' the sneeze. (I don't know how this is done - but I can do it on demand. I've heard that to do so is 'bad for you' but I don't know if that's true.)

In a low hazard environment I'll deliberately relax before the sneeze comes. I'll specifically loosen my grip on the steering wheel, not to the point of letting go, but down to a light touch. Then any involuntary hand movement will more than likely move the hand on the wheel rather than move the wheel itself.

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Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

If you catch it in time, one way of blocking a sneeze - and I do it and it works - is to press hard on the skin just below the nose - as if you're almost trying to dislodge your front upper teeth inward.

It may be worth mentioning that "I couldn't help it, I sneezed" is a proven defence that should get you off most charges, as it is involuntary and you have no control for that brief second or so (probably won't work if you've been tailed at 100+ for a couple of miles, though). Also won't work if you're as p*ssed as a newt.

Suppose that, even if you took all the precautions noted above, you did sneeze and close your eyes. As a consequence you hit and killed a pedestrian who, for example, walked out front of you.

Would you have a defence to the proposed charge of "Causing Death by Careless Driving" by claiming you were sneezing which is an involuntary action?

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Malcolm W.
The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not represent the views of Safespeed.

I've heard this as well, although it may be cobblers- I don't know.
Apparently, stifling a sneeze can burst ablood vessel in your brain.
I think the moral is, as you rightly point out, don't do it unless necessary.

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Only when ideology, prejudice and dogma are set aside does the truth emerge - Kepler

If you very gently stick the sharp end of a pencil up your nose and wiggle it about, you will sneeze - guaranteed.

We used to do this in history lessons with Mr Adams, the most boring teacher I've ever had. He once let the whole class off to avoid catching their "cold".

I must remember not to do that while driving!

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Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

Malcolm W

My understanding is that you WOULD have a defence (so perhaps we'd best keep it amongst ourselves!!)

i once read in a book that if you bite your lip (or find some other way to cause yourself moderate pain ) that you dont sneeze.........

always works for me.....apparently its because your brain is dealing with the pain problem so 'forgets' to sneeze..........

I generally think about how much the wife and kids have cost me, causes no end of pain.

I usually find that if I rub the middle of my tongue against my upper pallete hard it nearly always makes the sneeze 'go away'.

The various methods mentioned all seem to involve creating some sort of constant sensation that neutralizes the reflex action / remove or reduce the sneeze sensation.....interesting....hmmm.

[quote="PaulAH"]If you very gently stick the sharp end of a pencil up your nose and wiggle it about, you will sneeze - guaranteed.
quote]

Self lobotomy -for beginners (especially when you sneeze/go over bump)

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lets bring sanity back to speed limits.
Drivers are like donkeys -they respond best to a carrot, not a stick .Road safety experts are like Asses - best kept covered up ,or sat on

Saw a little prang a couple of days ago in a crowded high street; slow-moving traffic , car stopped, car behind tail-ended it (10mph or less).
Driver of second car gets out and goes to the driver she's tail-ended- he's slumped back in the seat, blood everywhere.
That's what happens when you pick your nose at the wheel.

Stifiling a sneeze is often ineffective anyway. You find yourself needing to sneeze again soon afterwards - your brain will keep triggering the sneeze response until whatever irritant in your nose or wherever has been removed.

If you're driving, I'd say just get the sneezes out as quickly as possible and, as Paul says, hold the steering wheel loosely so that any involuntary arm movement doesn't steer the car!! Remember also that wiping slime off your dashboard takes second priority to driving...

If you suffer from allergies or hayfever, it is a good idea to get a car with air con and a pollen filter and keep the windows closed. Make sure the pollen filter element is changed every year, too.

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“For every complex problem, there is a solution that is simple, neat, and wrong.” - H. L. Mencken