How can ADHD impact driving?

Inattention is the inability to focus on a task for too long. This can be a problem when driving long distances, as you might lose concentration or get distracted by random things while on the road.

This increases your risk of accidents, especially on monotonous journeys, like on motorways. You’re less likely to pay full attention to other road users, such as failing to notice the driver in front of you braking.

Inattention can also lead to risky behaviors. For instance, if you're distracted while driving, you might suddenly realise your exit is approaching, causing you to switch lanes abruptly and take your exit at the last minute. This puts both yourself and others in a dangerous situation.

This might explain why people with ADHD have more accidents on the motorway than people without the condition.^[1]

Impulsiveness is doing things without thinking or fully considering the consequences. For example, pulling out at a junction or switching lanes without enough of a gap. 

Research shows that drivers with ADHD are more prone to reckless and risky driving, and while not every instance will lead to one, it can increase the risk of collisions. 

Impulsiveness might also be one of the reasons why drivers with ADHD are more likely to make driving errors and get speeding tickets.^[1]

Furthermore, men with severe ADHD (who often show symptoms like reckless behaviour and aggression), are more likely to seek thrill-seeking activities and act impulsively, which can also increase the risk of road collisions.^[1]

Although inattention and distractibility are related to each other, distractibility is more about your focus being pulled away from the important things happening around you. For example, focusing more on the radio or your friend's conversation than on the road. This can be dangerous, because even a brief moment of distraction can be enough time to cause a major accident.

When you’re distracted, it’s harder to anticipate the actions of other drivers on the road. For instance, you might not see when drivers in front of you brake or turn at the next junction.

It might also slow down your reaction times, leading to sudden or delayed braking.

Many people with ADHD might struggle to regulate their emotions, which can lead to feelings of anger, frustration, and depression.^[2] 

For example, you might get more intense or longer-lasting bouts of road rage, potentially resulting in risky driving and putting yourself and others in danger.

Additionally, stressful situations at work or home can impact your driving. For instance, you might become distracted due to stress, or lose focus because you’re excited about something.