Face mask while driving: Excessive or sensible?

BERLIN: Health officials in a growing number of countries are calling on people to wear face masks in public to protect others from being infected with the novel coronavirus.

But does it make sense to wear one while driving? And is it even legal?

The main reason health officials are calling on people to wear masks is because in theory anyone can carry and spread the Sars-Cov-2 virus without knowing it or showing symptoms.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says face coverings are advised "whenever people are in a community setting, especially in situations where you may be near people."

As such, if you want to be safe when in a shared car or with passengers, it certainly does make sense to wear a mask while driving.

However wearing a face mask while driving does also come with a few possible risks.

First, if you do wear a mask at the wheel, you may want to make sure it's one that doesn't make you completely unrecognisable.

Otherwise there's a chance you'll be flouting local laws in some countries preventing you from covering your face while driving.

Concealing your identity at the wheel can be seen as suspicious, and police in some places such as in the US and Europe can fine you for driving while covering your face.

Given the context of the of the pandemic, authorities may be less stringent, unless, however, you're wearing an oversized mask, particularly one that could get in the way of you being identified by speed cameras.

Professionally made surgical masks are designed to cover only essential parts of the face, but that can't be said of all masks being worn during the pandemic.

"With self-produced masks, on the other hand, caution is required if the majority of the face is covered and identification is therefore no longer possible," said Daniela Mielchen, a legal expert in road safety in Germany.

Another problem with home-made masks is that they can cause glasses to steam up if your breath is sent upwards towards them. "If this is the case, you need to take the mask off immediately, as otherwise there's a risk of impaired vision," said Mielchen.

All this only applies to drivers, however. Other passengers can and should wear a mask in the car, especially if they're in a taxi.