Driving With ADHD

How ADHD affects driving and it's potential implications.
​Shamieh Law—Guest Columnists

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition associated with inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. These symptoms put ADHD teens and adults at heightened risk for motor vehicle crashes. Researchers have found that those with ADHD are more likely to become distracted, which leads to preventable car accidents. In the interest of public safety, Shamieh Law has compiled this guide to ADHD and driving. 

ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is one of the most common conditions diagnosed in childhood. For many people, its effects are lifelong. Those with ADHD experience the world differently—they tend to be more easily distracted and impulsive than their peers. These symptoms pose a significant challenge to ADHD teens and adults who get behind the wheel.
Those with this condition are more likely to drive recklessly, receive traffic tickets for moving violations, and get into car accidents. To avoid citations, injuries, or fatal crashes, ADHD teens and adults must understand and address the risks of driving with this condition. They should also adopt new habits to promote road safety. The team at Shamieh Law invites you to review our guide to ADHD and driving to learn more. 

How Does ADHD Affect Driving? Studies of adults with ADHD have identified a significant relationship between ADHD and car crashes. Scientists observed that those diagnosed with this condition were more likely to take risks, make errors in judgment, and violate traffic laws—intentionally and accidentally. In 2023, one study found that this risk persists into old age. Adults with ADHD between the ages of 65 and 79 were 102 percent more likely to get a traffic ticket and 74 percent more likely to crash their cars. 
These statistics reflect ADHD’s effect on executive function: the ability to reason, make decisions, and finish complex tasks. Proper executive functioning allows you to focus on a goal while filtering out distractions. It also empowers you to take in information and adjust your behavior accordingly. ADHD interferes with these abilities.

You can see how these symptoms impact road safety. In the context of driving:

• Inattention to detail results in missed road signs, including stop signs and speed limit changes.
• Lack of concentration causes preventable accidents.
• High levels of daytime drowsiness may make ADHD drivers fall asleep at the wheel.
• Distractibility increases the likelihood of checking devices, multitasking, and looking away from the road.
• Impulsivity causes drivers to overestimate their abilities and take unnecessary risks, which can lead to injury or death. Studies show that those with high levels of impulsiveness may also be more prone to road rage.

In-vehicle distractions like cell phones, large displays, loud music, and rowdy passengers compound these challenges. If you or someone close to you have ADHD, consider taking safety measures to reduce the risk of accidents.

Signs That ADHD Is Affecting a Person’s DrivingIn a car, drivers may experience four kinds of distractions: visual, auditory, manual, and cognitive. Seeing something brightly colored, hearing a phone notification, taking your hands off the wheel, or thinking about something else can all cause accidents. Identifying the symptoms of distracted driving keeps you and your loved ones safe on the road. 

Signs that ADHD may be affecting a person’s driving include:

• Forgetting to check blind spots
• Making unsafe lane changes
• Ignoring speed limits and other signs
• Rubbernecking
• Turning to look at passengers
• Texting or talking on the phone
• Trying to use social media in the car
• Struggling to focus during long trips
• Taking photos or videos while moving
• Reaching for items in the floorboard or back seat
• Falling asleep after driving for several hours
• Losing control of the vehicle
• Adjusting cabin controls constantly
• Failing to stay in a lane
• Missing stoplight changes
• Attempting to multitask
• Receiving multiple traffic tickets
• Getting into preventable accidents

​If you notice these behaviors in yourself, a friend, or a family member, it may be time to speak with a clinician about ADHD and driving.

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