Is There A Link Between ADHD And Driving?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, can be considered a serious neurological condition that usually impacts the brain and central nervous system. ADHD is often associated with inattentiveness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, which can impact a person’s ability to be a safe driver. Drivers with ADHD tend to be more likely to experience traffic accidents, which can indicate the potential benefits in seeking treatment for ADHD symptoms in order to drive safely. Treatment may involve therapy, medication, and effective coping skills.
Understanding ADHD
ADHD can impact one’s ability to concentrate, a skill that tends to be crucial to driving. In general, ADHD’s core symptoms are inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. The symptoms of this disorder are often first noticed during childhood but can persist into adulthood.
Those with ADHD can experience other conditions simultaneously, such as anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders. ADHD can be misunderstood and stigmatized, which may contribute to low self-esteem in those living with this condition.
Some symptoms of ADHD can include the following:
- Difficulty paying attention
- Difficulty following instructions
- Disorganization
- Inability to adhere to a schedule or keep appointments
- Struggling with deadlines
- Fidgeting
- Impulsive and high-risk behaviors
- Restlessness
- Poor sleep
- Co-occurrence with other conditions, such as anxiety and depression
Can ADHD affect driving?
Driving can be an important activity for many of us, as well as a serious responsibility that typically requires great care and focus. Due to the detrimental impact ADHD can have on one’s abilities to pay attention and drive without distraction, there may be a link between ADHD and greater risk when operating a motor vehicle.
Drivers with ADHD may have a higher likelihood of getting into motor vehicle accidents, receiving traffic tickets, driving distracted, and making riskier driving moves. Those with ADHD may be more likely to attempt multitasking, such as looking at their cell phone while driving.
ADHD and driving risk factors
In addition, drivers with ADHD might be more inclined to speed or misuse substances that can impair one’s ability to operate a vehicle. This can lead to accidents that may result in injury or death. Those with ADHD may also be more likely to drive without a license.
According to a 2015 study comparing the driving skills of those with ADHD, those with depression, and those with no mental health condition, drivers with ADHD were at a higher risk of collision and traffic violations. People with ADHD can take steps to understand their risk while driving to practice safer habits and ensure their well-being on the road.
Is it safe to drive with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder?
Drivers with ADHD can improve their driving skills over time. Despite the heightened risk those with ADHD may face when behind the wheel, it can be possible for drivers with ADHD to drive safely.
ADHD medications for safe driving
Poor and distracted driving can often result in financial hardships and other unwanted disasters, ranging from traffic tickets to car accidents, so it can be crucial for all drivers to develop good driving skills. One option for those with ADHD to explore may be doctor-prescribed medication, which may improve one’s ability to focus when on the road. This can be one reason it’s often crucial for those with ADHD to seek treatment.
The BetterHelp platform is not intended for any information regarding which drugs, medication, or medical treatment may be appropriate for you. The content provides generalized information that is not specific to one individual. You should not take any action without consulting a qualified medical professional.
ADHD tips for safer driving
While medication may be one option to improve driving skills and focus for those with ADHD, other strategies may also be helpful.
- Drive in less stressful environments with fewer distractions, such as back roads.
- Use a driving simulator to improve skills.
- Drive with a passenger who can support you.
- Reduce distractions like cell phones.
- Consider driving a vehicle with a manual transmission to remain engaged as you drive.
How therapy can help drivers with ADHD
Therapy can be a great resource for individuals with ADHD, whether or not they operate motor vehicles. Seeking therapy from a licensed professional can help individuals identify and address symptoms that may impact their driving abilities and other parts of their everyday lives
Additionally, ADHD often coincides with anxiety, and many with ADHD might experience anxiety related to driving. Therapists can help you manage and alleviate anxiety symptoms with helpful coping strategies.
Online therapy for ADHD
While attending therapy in person may be a good choice for many, connecting with a licensed medical professional through online therapy may be helpful for those with ADHD who struggle to keep track of their schedules and maintain appointments.
Research suggests that online therapy can be as effective as face-to-face therapy for addressing a wide range of mental health disorders, including ADHD. A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis stated that online therapy could effectively improve attention deficit and social function in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Takeaway
Is there a connection between ADHD and driving?
Yes, research suggests a link between ADHD and a higher risk of reckless driving and car crashes.
Are there drivers with ADHD?
Yes, people with ADHD can qualify for a driver's license. Overall, however, ADHD is considered a risk factor for things like traffic citations and car accidents.
Are there any medications for ADHD drivers?
Yes, both stimulant and non-stimulant medications for ADHD can reduce the risk of driving accidents for some people with ADHD.
Is there a link between ADHD and driving?
Yes, evidence suggests that people with ADHD have a higher risk of getting into car accidents, getting injured, or getting speeding tickets. However, things like ADHD medications and self-regulatory strategies (like reducing distractions or driving stick shift) can significantly reduce these risks.
Are drivers with ADHD allowed to drive?
Yes, drivers with ADHD who hold a valid driver's license are usually allowed to drive. ADHD may be considered a risk factor for driving accidents, but it doesn’t mean that all people with ADHD are inherently reckless when driving.
People with more severe ADHD symptoms may experience significant driving difficulties that can lead to potentially unsafe behaviors while driving and interfere with independent living abilities. If ADHD symptoms interfere with daily life or make it challenging to drive, consider working with an experienced therapist and medical practitioner.
Is it okay for drivers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to drive?
People with ADHD can drive safely but there is evidence that both adolescents and adults with ADHD report a higher risk of poor driving outcomes compared to individuals without ADHD. Several specific aspects of ADHD may increase the risk of accidents, including difficulty regulating attention between multiple inputs (such as driving, talking to a passenger, following directions, or listening to the radio), a higher likelihood of getting sleepy while driving, and easy distractibility.
One population-based study found that these risks can be reduced when male individuals with ADHD take medications, though the same may not be true for women with ADHD.
Can a person drive while on ADHD medications?
Yes, people taking ADHD are generally allowed to drive, and studies find that individuals with ADHD tend to have better driving behavior (such as maintaining a driving speed that’s within the speed limit and reduced numbers of traffic citations) and a reduced risk of serious accidents.
A randomized, placebo-controlled study assessing unsafe driving behaviors in young adults with ADHD used a validated driving simulator paradigm to evaluate the impact of stimulant medications on motor vehicle driving. The researchers found that medications significantly improved simulator driving performance and reduced rates of impaired driving and accidents due to driving errors. Furthermore, they found that stimulant medication significantly improved reaction time, which can be a significant factor in reducing the risk of fatal accidents.
Though future research is needed, the results of this study suggest that stimulant medication may reduce the risk of driving accidents and enhance safety of teen drivers.
Does ADHD make it harder to drive?
Yes, ADHD can make it harder to drive safely.
According to a study on high incidence psychiatric disability and the risk of driving accidents, people with ADHD experience an increased risk of car crashes and a higher number of traffic citations. The risk for ADHD drivers is higher in early adulthood and does not decrease in other age groups (whereas other healthy adults without ADHD experience lower risk after younger age groups).
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of ADHD using a validated simulator, participants drove twice along a 43-mile virtual road that featured surprise events. The researchers found that the road users with ADHD responded significantly faster when using the stimulant medication, lisdxamfetamine.
This study (and previous research, too) suggests that ADHD stimulant medications can effectively reduce the risk of driving incidents. However, non-pharmacological interventions, like turning off cell phones and taking frequent breaks, can also help.
How do you deal with ADHD when driving?
People with ADHD can follow these safety tips to stay safer while driving:
Silence phone notifications, which in individuals with poor response inhibition may become easily distracted
Minimize other distractions, such as listening to loud music or eating while driving
Take regular breaks, especially if you feel tired
Avoid using cruise control, which can make it harder to maintain sustained attention
Take ADHD medications as prescribed
Use active scanning strategies to monitor the road ahead
Simulated driving and self-reported driving behaviour studies have identified that ADHD may contribute to challenges like poor steering control, delayed reaction time, increased relative risk of transport accidents, and more traffic citations. Taking steps to improve driving behaviour can significantly reduce the risk of serious transport accidents and other adverse outcomes.
What is the best lifestyle for people with ADHD?
In general, people with ADHD can benefit from the following lifestyle strategies:
Getting regular physical activity
Developing a sustainable sleep routine
Reducing clutter and distractions
Practicing positive self-talk
Joining a support group with others who understand the ADHD experience
Taking medication as prescribed, such as ADHD stimulant and non-stimulant medication
These strategies can help improve common challenges amongst people with ADHD, including poor impulse control, unsafe driving, disorganization, and low self-esteem.
Do people with ADHD get tired while driving?
According to some studies, ADHD drivers are more likely to feel sleepy while driving, contributing to an increased risk of adverse driving outcomes, such as motor vehicle crashes. In addition to executive functioning issues and cognitive impairments, this correlation may be explained by dysregulation in waking systems in individuals with ADHD.
Severe laboratory driving simulation studies have found that the safety of adult ADHD driving performance can be significantly improved with the use of stimulant medication, which may help keep adult drivers more alert than a control group.
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