How to Promote Safe Driving for Teens with ADHD

There are a lot of concerning factors when it comes to new teen drivers: their inexperience, their overconfidence, and distractions from cell phone texts and calls, and their desire to “jam out.”  All these factors and more have contributed to motor vehicle crashes being the number one cause of death among teens in the U.S. In fact, the fatality rate for drivers age 16 to 19 is four times that of drivers between the ages 25 and 69 years.  Furthermore, in their first year on the road, teens are almost 10 times more likely to be in a crash.

Although teens distracted by cellphones and other factors are implicated as a large culprit in producing these statistics, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is another huge concern. For teenagers with ADHD, driving risks are increased by ADHD's core symptoms of distractibility, inattention, and impulsivity.

How Does ADHD Affect Teen Drivers

ADHD involves challenges in executive function, a collection of thinking skills that must all come together at once in order to complete tasks that require alternating, dividing, and sustaining attention. As a new driver, ADHD can lead to poor judgment, risk-taking, thrill-seeking, and distractions when driving, all of which will increase the risks for accidents, injury, or other negative outcomes. Risks are further increased when a teen drives alone or with other teens.

The presence of ADHD increases a teen’s crash risk by two to four times, placing them at a higher crash risk than adults who are legally drunk. Overall, teen drivers with ADHD are: 

·         Seven times as likely to have been in 2 or more accidents.

·         Two times as likely to have a speeding ticket.

·         Five times as likely to have a traffic citation.

·         Four times as likely to have been in an accident with injuries.

·         Four times as likely to have been at fault for the accident they were in.

Given the facts, should teens with ADHD be restricted from driving? That is a question for which there is not a quick and easy answer.  While driving is a monumental milestone in life of which teens with ADHD should not ultimately be deprived, there are necessary precautions teens and parents must take when preparing a new driver with ADHD for licensure.

Signs That Your Teen is Ready

As a parent, you must compare your child’s skills to the qualities of a skilled driver.  A skilled driver perceives his or her environment, shifts attention dynamically to the most relevant road elements, comprehends potential hazards, predicts changes in the traffic environment and actions of other road users, and draws actions from memory to avoid crashes. Is your child capable of these skills? If not, he or she might not be ready for the road yet.

Also, ask yourself:

·         Does my teen consistently show good judgment at home and at            school?

·         Does my teen act appropriately mature for his/her age?

·         Is my teen able to take constructive criticism and instruction?

·         Do I think my teen is able to accept responsibility for their safety and for those around them?

These are all important factors that can affect your teen’s driving. It is vital that your answer is yes to these questions before allowing your teen to take on this immense responsibility.

Positive Steps for a Safe Teen Driver

Once you feel your child is ready to start driving, there are several safeguards you can implement to keep them out of danger. Such precautions include:

·         Create a driving plan. Map out local roads and familiar routes for them to take. Carefully monitor their driving progress and alter these paths accordingly, giving them more room to roam when they demonstrate maturity and skill, and removing privileges when needed.

·         Form a parent-child driving agreement. Write out an agreement stating rules for driving. Include:

o   Times of day

o   Weather conditions

o   Number of passengers

o   Distance

o   Phone usage

As with the driving plan, increase privileges as they enhance their skills and vice versa.

·         Utilize driver education programs. For teens affected by ADHD, taking a driver education program designed for their specific needs is especially helpful. Check with the local school district for driver education courses or look in your community for driving schools that are familiar with the needs and requirements of a young person affected by ADHD.

·         Check their medication. Research shows that teens who are treated for ADHD are better drivers than teens receiving no treatment. Teenagers who have never been treated with stimulant medication are involved in more vehicle crashes than those who have had at least three years of medication treatment.

ADHD is a disorder that can possibly restrain children and teens from several activities as they grow up, but driving doesn’t have to be one of them. Along with these tips, dedicate extra time and attention to your teen to keep them educated and safe.

Click HERE to download a free ADD/ADHD symptoms checklist.