Driving is full of distractions, from cellphones to other drivers on the road. But for adults and teens dealing with symptoms of ADHD, like inattention and impulsivity, those disruptions can make driving especially risky. On average, adult drivers with ADHD in one study got into a crash every two years, and people with severe ADHD symptoms averaged one accident a year.
Understanding the Risks
A large study in JAMA Pediatrics found that teen and young adult drivers with ADHD were 36% more likely to get into car accidents compared to drivers without ADHD. Only 12.1% of the study participants were taking ADHD medication at the time, though. This highlights the potential risk that untreated ADHD can have on driving.
In fact, diagnosis and treatment are crucial for keeping drivers with ADHD more focused and alert on the road. A study in JAMA Psychiatry compared medical records with insurance claims and found that 22% of the crashes in the study period could have been avoided if the participants had used medications.
Tips for Safe Driving
Experts recommend the following tips for staying alert and focused on the road: hiding your phone, timing your medications, being aware of “highway hypnosis,” and avoiding big carpools.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
