Driving with ADHD

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2011 Ford Explorer

When you have ADHD driving can be dangerous.

I was reminded of this today as I was driving home from the store. A car two cars in front of me had those televisions installed for the kids in the back seat. It looked like they were on but not showing anything so all I saw was a glowing screen.

Have you ever been behind one of those, especially when a movie is on? It can be way distracting, especially for us.

Teens are especially at risk behind the wheel. They lack driving experience and their ADHD makes them easily distracted and prone to risk taking and impulsive behavior.

If you have a teen getting ready to drive, you may want to consider either adding extra driving experience via a driving program or delaying the age at which they get their license. Also take maturity into consideration.

Even adults with ADHD can be affected by their symptoms while driving. You may be lost in thought and miss a turn or end up someplace you didn’t intend to go. You might be distracted by something and end up in an accident. There are so many things that can happen with driving and ADHD.

A few things that you might want to consider before you get behind the wheel:

Are your symptoms especially bad today?

Are you sleepy, worried or stressed about something or otherwise preoccupied mentally?

Are you late or in a hurry?

Are you going someplace you’ve never been before?

Do you have passengers who might distract you?

If any of these things are present, you need to be especially careful while driving.

Also, don’t talk on your phone while driving and certainly DO NOT text!

Finally, if you find yourself having a close call – almost rear ending someone or some other sort of almost accident – recognize that your symptoms are interfering with your driving skills.

Eliminate as many distractions as you can – turn off the cell and the radio, ask your passengers to try and stay quiet, ask someone else to drive – whatever you have to do to arrive safe and sound.

It’s worth it.

Lacy Estelle

Lacy Estelle

Lacy Estelle is the writer of Lacyestelle.com and the Podcast host for An ADD Woman.

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4 Responses

  1. Sooo true! The reason I got tested for ADD years ago was because I had 3 car accidents in 2 months. I start daydreaming while I’m driving. I can’t hold a conversation while I’m driving either. If I get too caught up in my thoughts I go on autopilot.

  2. I daydream when I drive too! Sometimes I come close to rear ending someone or end up someplace I didn’t intend to go. Once I would have forgotten to pick up my youngest from daycare if her sister hadn’t noticed I was driving right past it!

  3. im 55 years old and have suffered my entire life with adhdd for many years i used alchole to calm myself down and it would help me help with the sleeping problems i have 12 to 15 years ago i gave up the alchole it was not hard for me to stop drinking due to i never realy cared for the stuff any way.with a friends help i found a docter and i was prescribed 5mg desoxyn 4 times a day and it really does work it keep me calm and im patient now… here is my problem i have been charged with driving under the influance i did not crash the car or hit any one so far i wase remanded into custody with a 100.000.00 dollar bail that costed me 10.000.00 in bail bond and the district attorney is trying to put me in prison this is out ragious that im faced with jury trial…if there are any cases articles news my e mail is [email protected] …i thank you for any help or advice that the adhdd comunity has out there this effects any one that takes add medication and drives help me to protect our rights to medical treatment that helps people with adhdd to having a more normal life….. thanks ////