Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

A Clinician’s Guide to ADHD pp 41–46Cite as

ADHD and Driving

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

  • 3503 Accesses

Abstract

Clinical studies indicate that young drivers with untreated or sub-optimally treated ADHD have between two to four time as many Motor Vehicle Collisions (MVC) and moving violations than a comparable non-ADHD population. These morbidities are seen independent of comorbidity. The problem profile commonly indicates Driving Anger or Road Rage. The presence of comorbid substance use disorders and ADHD significantly magnifies problem driving risks. There is a continuum of neurodevelopmental immaturities in executive control accompanied by lack of driving experience in many young drivers that underlie deficient cognitive processes related to problems with attention, impulse control and emotional regulation leading to problem driving styles. These neurodevelopmental compromises are more pronounced in ADHD populations.

This entire chapter is an excerpt of an article by Dr. Laurence Jerome, MD, FRCPC, and has been reproduced with permission.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   64.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Barkely RA (2006) Effects of two doses of alcohol on simulator driving performance in adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Neuropsychology 20:77–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barkley RA (1997) ADHD and the nature of self-control. Guilford Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Barkley RA, Murphy KR, Kwasnik D (1996) Motor vehicle driving competencies and risks in teens and young adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Pediatrics 98(6):1089–1095

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barkley RA, Murphy KR, DuPaul GJ, Bush T (2002) Driving in young adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: knowledge, performance, adverse outcomes, and the role of executive functioning. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 8:655–672

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barkley RA, Murphy KR, Fischer M (2009) ADHD in adults: what the science says. Guildford Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Blakemore SJ, Choudbury S (2006) Development of the adolescent brain: implications for executive function and social cognition. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 47(3–4):296–312

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Canadian Medical Association (2006) Determining medical fitness to operate motor vehicles. CMA driver’s guide, 7th edn. The Association, Ottawa

    Google Scholar 

  • Cox DJ, Coleman MT (2009) Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and driving safety. In: Verster JE, Pandi-Perumal SR, Ramaekers JG, de Glier JJ (eds) Drugs, driving and traffic safety. Birkhii user Verlag, Switzerland, pp 315–330

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Cox DJ, Mikami A, Cox BS, Coleman MT, Mahmood A, Sood A, Moore M, Burket R, Murkel RL (2008) Effect of long-acting OROS methylphenidate on routine driving in young adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 162:793–794

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cox DJ, Davis M, Ibia A, Burket R, Merkel RL (2009) Driving Safety in Young Adults diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with and without long acting transdermal methylphenidate therapy (Daytrana). In: Poster presentation. American Psychiatric Association

    Google Scholar 

  • DSM-5: options being considered for the diagnosis of Adult ADHD. 2 Feb 2010. 2010 American Psychiatric Association. http://www.dsm5.org/Proposed%20Revision%20Attachments/APA%20Options%20for%20ADHD.pdf. Accessed 26 Apr 2010

  • Jamson S (2006) Would those who need it use it? Investigating the relationship between drivers speed choice and their use of a voluntary ISA system. Transport Res F 9:195–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jerome L, Segal AU (2000) ADHD and executive function and problem driving. ADHD Rep 8(2):7–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Jerome L, Segal AU (2001) Benefit of long term stimulants on driving in adults with ADHD. J Nerv Ment Dis 189(1):63–64

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jerome L, Segal AU (2005) Prediction of driving accident risk in novice drivers in Ontario: the development of a screening instrument. In: International conference on driver behavior and training (2nd 2005 Edinburgh, Scotland), Driver behavior and training, vol 2 – (Human factors in road and rail transport), Editor Lisa Dorn, pp 207–222

    Google Scholar 

  • Jerome L, Segal A (2005) Validation of a driving Questionnaire for patients with ADHD: the Jerome Driving Questionnaire (JDQ). J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry (1):151

    Google Scholar 

  • Jerome L, Segal A, Habinkski L (2006) What we know about ADHD and driving risk: a literature review meta-analysis and critique. J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 15(3):105–125

    Google Scholar 

  • Kay GG, Michaels A, Pakull B (2009) Simulated driving changes in young adults with ADHD receiving mixed amphetamine salts extended release and atomoxetine. J Atten Disord 12:316–329

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Levin H, Hanten G, Max J, Li X, Swank P, Ewing-Cobbs L, Dennis M, Menefee DS, Schachar R (2007) Symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Dev Behav Pediatr 28:108–118

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Malta LS, Blanchard EB, Freidenberg BM (2005) Psychiatric and behavioral problems in aggressive drivers. Behav Res Ther 43:1467–1484

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marcus SC, Wan GJ, Kemner JE, Olfson M (2005) Continuity of methylphenidate treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 159:572–578

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nada-Raja S, Landley JO, McGee R, Williams SM, Begg DJ, Reeder AI (1997) Inattentive and hyperactive behaviors and driving offenses in adolescence. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 36:515–522

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reimer B, Mehler B, D’Ambrosio LA, Fried R (2010) The impact of distractions on young adult drivers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Accid Anal Prev 42:842–851

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Richards TL, Deffenbacher JL, Rosen LA (2002) Driving anger and other driving –related behaviors in high and low ADHD symptom college students. J Atten Disord 6(1):25–38

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shaw P et al (2007) ADHD is characterized by a delay in cortical maturation. Proc Natl Acad Sci 104:19649–19654

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sowell ER, Thompson PM, Leonard CM, Welcome SE, Tan E (2004) Longitudinal mapping of cortical thickness and brain growth in normal children. J Neurosci 24(38):8223–8231

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stein MA, Szumowski E, Blondis TA, Roizen NJ (1995) Adaptive skills dysfunction in ADD and ADHD children. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 36:663–670

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tillman WA, Hobbs GE (1949) The accident-prone automobile driver. Am J Psychiatry 106:321–331

    Google Scholar 

  • Truls V (2003) Impairment, diseases, and their relative risks of accident involvement: results from meta analysis. Impaired Motorists, Methods of Roadside Testing and Assessment of Licensing (IMMORTAL). Deliverable R1.1. From: http://www.immortal.or.at/index/php. Retrieved 1 Nov 2005

  • Verster JC, Bekker EM, de Roos M, Minova A, Eijken EJ, Kooij JJ, Buitelaar JK, Kenemans JL, Verbaten MN, Olivier B, Volkerts ER (2008) Methylphenidate significantly improves driving performance of adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a randomized crossover trial. J Psychopharmacol 22(3):230–237

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weafer J, Camarillo D, Fillmore MT, Milich R, Marczinski CA (2008) Simulated driving performance of adults with ADHD: comparisons with alcohol intoxication. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 16:251–263

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weiss G, Hechtman L, Perlman T (1984) Hyperactives as young adults: past and current substance abuse and antisocial behavior. Am J Orthopsychiatry 54(3):415–425

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodward LJ, Fergusson DM, Horwood LJ (2000) Driving outcomes of young people with attentional difficulties in adolescence. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 39(5):627–634

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization (2004) World report on road traffic injury prevention. WHO, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Joseph Sadek

Authors
  1. Joseph Sadek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Sadek, J. (2014). ADHD and Driving. In: A Clinician’s Guide to ADHD. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02359-5_9

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02359-5_9

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-02358-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-02359-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation