Learning to drive is an exciting time in a teenager’s life. It is the time where children begin learning how to become adults and participate in the adult world. Unfortunately, for those teenagers with ADHD, driving can be a dangerous, and deadly, task.
Driving and ADHD
Let’s face it: learning to drive can be difficult, and even scary. It’s also one of most exciting activities for a rapidly maturing teenager. Teens with ADHD have an even more difficult time learning to drive and driving safely and successfully. Young drivers with ADHD have been shown to have underdeveloped perceptual skills, lack of organization and low concentration levels. They are also less able to regulate their behavior and moods, which can lead to unstable driving. Since ADHD is classified by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, it’s easy to understand why these teens have difficulty.
Statistics of ADHD Teen Drivers
While teenagers make up 7% of all drivers, they cause 20% of all accidents. Teens with ADHD have been shown to be 2-4 times more likely to have an accident, 3 times more likely to be injured and 4 times more likely to be at fault for the accident than teens without ADHD. It’s also been reported that teens with ADHD are 2-6 times more likely to get speeding tickets and 6-8 times more likely to have their licenses suspended.
This information is not being reported to discourage ADHD teens from driving, but instead to encourage teens and parents to thoroughly train and educate themselves on proper driving techniques.
Learning to Drive With ADHD
Teens with ADHD are perfectly capable of learning how to drive; they simply may require more training and one on one focus than other teenagers. It may take them longer to learn from their mistakes while practicing driving, but with enough attention and focus they can learn to drive. A once a day, controlled release medication has been shown to be more effective than a three times a day medicine.
Warning Signs In An ADHD Driver
If you are driving with ADHD or riding with a driver who has ADHD, there are some warning signs that may indicate the need for more driving lessons. Those with ADHD may engage in the following:
- Miss signs and traffic signals
- Have poor hand, eye and foot coordination
- Drift in their lane
- Poor judgment
- Slow response time to changing lights or turning cars
- Drive too slow or fast
- Become distracted
- Many minor accidents
ADHD Driver Education
Those with ADHD will need to be even more aware of their driving abilities than those without. If you are concerned about your driving abilities, or those of a person with ADHD, consult a driver rehabilitation specialist who can conduct an evaluative test. These specialists will note your visual perception, reaction timing, and your abilities driving. They will have knowledge of driving laws and teaching techniques, as well as medical information related to ADHD.
Remember, it is possible and safe for those with ADHD to drive. Young drivers may need more education and time spent training than others, but are just as capable of driving safely.
http://www.driver-ed.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=253
http://www.mental-health-matters.com/articles/article.php?artID=413
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/adhd/complete-publication.shtml
