There's nothing worse than driving in your car and suddenly noticing that there's a wasp a little too close to comfort.
It can be hard to keep a cool head, especially when the buzzing noise is right in your ear, and when you're on your own, you don't want to take your hands off the wheel to swat the pesky insect away.
Thankfully, motor safety experts at Road Angel have shared guidance for drivers to help prevent collisions if a wasp flies into your car as it's thought wasps could be responsible for dozens of road traffic accidents each year, with July and August being the busiest months for wasp populations in Britain.
Some drivers may panic when they're on the road, and it can have catastrophic consequences. That's why they've now been told to stay calm if a wasp flies inside their car and to gently decelerate, pull over when safe to do so, get out of the car and open all doors to allow the wasp to escape.
And to prevent wasps from entering, you should try and use air conditioning instead of opening windows, and also ensure that the car is empty of sweet wrappers and discarded snacks which can attract wasps.
The stark warning comes as the latest 2020 data shows over 2000 road accidents, including some fatalities, were caused by a distraction within the vehicle.
In addition to risking an accident, failing to keep a cool head due to a wasp buzzing inside a car could lead to drivers incurring fines or even imprisonment.
Under UK law and the Highway Code, any motorist found distracted while driving could be charged with a dangerous or careless driving offence by the police.
Gary Digva, founder of Road Angel, said: "Reacting to a wasp while driving is incredibly dangerous and could cause a major road accident.
"Sadly some drivers do panic if a wasp enters their vehicle which is why we have issued this guidance. If driving at high speed or along a motorway, the consequences could be devastating if a wasp caused someone to freak out and lose control.
"If you are surprised by a wasp it's absolutely essential to stay calm and focused on the road ahead.
"Check your mirrors and make sure it is safe to pull over, then indicate and move across. Once stopped, ensure it is safe to exit the vehicle and step out leaving the door open. Then go around the car and open the other doors until you see the wasp fly out.
"Only when you are satisfied that the wasp has left the car should you get back inside and continue your journey."
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