Driving for teens with ADHD: What parents need to know

For all parents, it’s a scary time when their teen starts to drive. For parents of teens with ADHD, it can be — and should be — even scarier. ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a condition that can cause problems with attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. These are not problems you want to have when you are driving. What does research tell us about ADHD in teens and driving? In a 2019 study published in Pediatrics, researchers looked at information about accidents, violations, and suspensions over the first four years of licensure for about 15,000 adolescent drivers. About 2,000 of these teens had ADHD. Here is what they found: The four-year crash rate for drivers with ADHD was 37% higher than for those without ADHD. The drivers with ADHD had a 62% higher rate of injury crashes, and a 109% higher rate of alcohol-related crashes. Teens with ADHD had a 36% rate of traffic violations, compared with 25% for those without. Teens with ADHD had a 27% rate of moving violations, compared with 19% for those without. 17 percent of teens with ADHD had their license suspended, compared with 10% of those who did not have ADHD. Teens with ADHD had a higher risk of speeding, not wearing seat belts, alcohol and/or drug use while driving, and using electronic equipment while driving. Teens with ADHD had a higher risk of accidents and other problems in the first month of driving. Delaying driving to 18 rather than 17 didn’t make a difference. Additionally, dela...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Adolescent health Brain and cognitive health Parenting Source Type: blogs