Comparison of On-Road Driving Between Young Adults With and Without ADHD

Objective: This study compared video recordings from routine driving of ADHD and non-ADHD young adults to identify differences in driving behaviors. Method: A matched sample of young adult drivers with and without ADHD are compared via blinded ratings of videoed g-force events recorded by DriveCam technology over 3 months of on-road driving. Results: ADHD drivers were significantly more likely to have more crashes, minor events, and g-force events. G-force events for the ADHD drivers involved significantly more risky and illegal, hyperactive/impulsive, and distracted behaviors. The g-force events of non-ADHD drivers were due to evasive, defensive driving or lapses in attention. Conclusion: Increased risk for ADHD drivers may be the result of increased risk taking, increased hyperactivity/impulsivity or distraction behavior, and increased vulnerability to factors that interfere with driving in general, whereas the consequences of faulty driving were either higher or potentially higher in those drivers with ADHD.