Safety Strategies for Driving With Adult ADHD

Safety Strategies for Driving With Adult ADHD ADHD Adult ADD/ADHD Print Safety Strategies for Driving With Adult ADHD By Keath Low Keath Low, MA, is a therapist and clinical scientist with the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities at the University of North Carolina. She specializes in treatment of ADD/ADHD. Learn about our editorial policy Keath Low Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 01, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on July 31, 2019 ADHD Overview Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Living With In Children Siri Stafford / Getty Images Research has shown that teenagers and adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) tend to be at an increased risk of driving impairments. This is not surprising given the core symptoms of ADHD â€" including problems with distractibility, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness â€" which can impede safe driving and can often lead to very serious accidents. One study, “Serious Transport Accidents in Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and the Effect of Medication” published in JAMA Psychiatry, found that drivers with ADHD had a 45% to 47% increased rate of serious transport accidents (defined as serious injury or death) compared to drivers without ADHD, in both men and women. In this study investigators also explored the extent to which ADHD medication influences risks among subjects with ADHD. They found that ADHD medication use was associated with reduced rates of accidents among male drivers with ADHD. Why Drivers With ADHD May Be at Increased Risk Many drivers with ADHD find they have difficulty maintaining vigilance and keeping their mind focused while on the road. Distractions within the car (cell phone, radio, passengers) and outside the car (road construction, “rubbernecking” while driving by accidents, general points of interest alongside the road) can make it even more challenging to stay focused. Impulsive errors and reactions, as well as slower and delayed reactions, can also heighten risks for drivers with ADHD. Stimulation-seeking behaviors (driving at high speeds, taking curves aggressively, any risk-taking behaviors) can further impede safety. Even impatience while driving, which can sometimes escalate to angry reactions including  road rage,  seems to be more prevalent in adults with ADHD. Strategies to Help Reduce Driving Risks Associated With ADHD Below are five strategies to consider to reduce driving risks associated with ADHD: Take Your ADHD Medication Medication has been shown to be effective in improving driving performance in adults with ADHD. If you have been prescribed medicine to help manage symptoms of ADHD, it is important that you be diligent about taking your medicine on a schedule that ensures you have adequate levels of medicine in your bloodstream when you are most likely to be driving (for example in the morning to work and during the late afternoon route home). Reduce Distractions Remove all potential distractions from within the car. Turn off the cell phone and put it out of reach so that you aren’t tempted to use while driving. Do not eat while driving. Only adjust the radio, heat/air conditioning, mirrors, etc. while the car is stopped. Let passengers know what is most helpful for you to maintain focus. It may be that you prefer not to engage in conversations while the vehicle is moving. Drive a Car With a Manual Transmission Consider whether you are a more attentive driver when using a manual transmission, as opposed to an automatic. Use of a manual transmission has been demonstrated to be associated with greater arousal. Adults (and children) with ADHD tend to be more productive and focused when an activity is involving and engaging. For some people with ADHD shifting gears manually while driving provides a positive level of stimulation that is helpful in maintaining focus. Never Drink and Drive Never drink alcohol and drive. Adults with ADHD are more adversely affected in their driving by even low doses of alcohol than drivers without ADHD. Buckle Up Always wear your seatbelt. Make this part of your routine as soon as you get in the car. If you need to put a brightly colored sticky note on your dashboard as a reminder, do so.