Safety Strategies for Driving With Adult ADHD

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 coreadhd的症状— including problems with distractibility, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness — which can impede safe driving and can often lead to very serious accidents.

一项研究，“成年人的严重交通事故引起缺陷/多动障碍以及药物的作用”发表在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.

他们发现了ADHD medication使用与ADHD的男性司机的事故率降低有关。

为什么有ADHD的司机可能会增加风险

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成年人与adhd..

帮助减少与ADHD相关的驾驶风险的策略

Below are five strategies to consider to reduce driving risks associated with ADHD:

服用您的ADHD药物

Medication has been shown to be effective in improving driving performance in adults with ADHD.

如果您已被规定的药物帮助管理ADHD的症状，则必须勤奋地将药物勤于，以确保您最有可能驾驶的血液中有足够的药物水平（例如早上工作，在下午晚些时候的路线之旅。

Reduce Distractions

从汽车内删除所有潜在的分心。关掉手机并将其脱离到达，以便在驾驶时没有诱惑使用。驾驶时不要吃。仅在停车时调整收音机，热/空调，镜子等。

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

考虑在使用手动传输时是否是一个更加周到的驾驶员，而不是自动。已经证明了使用手动变速器与更大的唤醒相关联。当一项活动涉及和参与时，Adhd的成年人（和儿童）往往更加富有成效和重点。

For some people with ADHD shifting gears manually while driving provides a positive level of stimulation that is helpful in maintaining focus.

永远不要喝酒和开车

永远不要喝酒和开车。甚至低剂量的酒精比没有ADHD的司机，带有ADHD的成年人在他们的驾驶中更受不利影响。

系好安全带

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.