A Bee Flew Into My Car: Now What?

A Bee Flew Into My Car: Now What?

There are all kinds of distractions that can put you in a dangerous position while driving. From using your cell phone while you're behind the wheel to being distracted by loud music, accidents happen on United States roadways every single day due to inattentive driving. 
 

The good news is that many sources of distracted driving can be easily avoided—but what about the ones that can't, such as an uninvited insect making its way into your car?

A Bee Flew in My Car: What Should I Do Next?

Hopefully, you'll never be in a situation where a bee flies into your car and turns your leisurely drive into a stressful one. Still, it's a good idea to be prepared for any kind of emergency driving scenario so you know how to react order to keep yourself and others safe.

Try to Stay Calm and Focused

The most important rule (and perhaps also the most difficult) is to try and stay as calm and focused as you can. Of course, this may be easier said than done, especially as you have a bee buzzing in your ear. It may be tempting to try and swat the bee away from you, but more than likely, this will only anger the bee and make you more prone to getting into an accident as you take your eyes and focus off the wheel.

As you continue driving, roll your windows down to see if that encourages the bee to fly out of your car. After all, the bee probably doesn't want to be in your car any more than you want it there.

Turn on Your Hazards and Pull Off the Road

Next, turn on your vehicle's hazard lights as you slow down and gradually pull off the road to somewhere safe. Don't slam on your brakes, as this could put you at a greater risk of causing an accident. If there is a shoulder on the road, you can pull off here if needed, but it would be safer to wait until you get to an exit or are able to pull into a parking lot or other area away from moving traffic.

Try to Shoo the Bee Out of Your Car

Once you've gotten your vehicle out of harm's way, you can focus all of your attention on getting the bee out of your car. If you've pulled off onto the shoulder of a busy road or highway, exercise extreme caution when getting out of your vehicle. If possible, open up all the doors on your car to encourage the bee to exit.

If you need to, you can also use a shoe or another object (such as a rolled up newspaper) to try and gently shoo the bee out of your car. Just be careful not to do anything too aggressive, as this may cause you to get stung. Be patient; in a matter of minutes, the bee will probably leave your vehicle and you can get back on the road.

Bee in Car Scenarios: What if You're Allergic?

Having a bee fly into your car while you're driving is scary enough, but what if you know you have an allergy to bee stings? This can take the fear factor to a whole new level.
 

First of all, if you're allergic to bee stings, you'll probably want to take preventative measures by keeping your windows rolled down—especially during times of the year when bee activity is at its highest. This will reduce the chances of a bee making its way into your car in the first place.
 

For added protection, make sure to carry an allergy pen or other prescribed medication so you can react quickly in the event that you are stung by a bee. Consider keeping one of these pens in your glove box for easy access.
 

Speaking of protection, now is also a good time to review your auto insurance policy to make sure you have the right coverage. If you are involved in an accident due to a bee flying into your car (or for any other reason), you'll want to make sure you're protected from legal and financial liability. With the right coverage, you can enjoy added peace of mind each time you get behind the wheel—even though you never know what your travels may bring!

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<resources>https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bee-stings/symptoms-causes/syc-20353869</resources>