Study Shows That Young Adults Diagnosed with Severe Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder as Children Have More Driving Risks

NHTSA · 1996 · ROSA P / United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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Summary

This study, sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and conducted by Dr. Nadine Lambert at the University of California, Berkeley, investigates whether childhood diagnosis of severe Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) serves as a risk factor for poorer driving performance in early adulthood. The research addresses the concern that symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which cause behavioral and academic difficulties in childhood, may translate into hazardous driving behaviors later in life. The study utilized a longitudinal database initiated in 1974, tracking 492 children from Alameda and Contra Costa counties in California. The cohort included 175 children diagnosed as hyperactive, 107 with comparable behavioral characteristics but different treatment histories, 51 with behavior problems but no ADHD symptoms, and 159 comparison subjects from the same schools. For this analysis, the focus was on 113 young adults classified as having severe ADHD, defined by meeting scoring criteria on Inattention or Hyperactivity-Impulsivity scales and demonstrating pervasive symptoms based on parent and teacher ratings. Their driving records, obtained from the California Division of Motor Vehicles from licensure through age 25, were compared against records from 335 comparison young adults. The findings indicate that young adults with severe childhood ADHD were significantly more likely to be convicted of moving violations than the comparison group. While not statistically significant, the severe ADHD group also had higher conviction rates for reckless driving, drunk driving, and lane placement violations. Significant differences were also found in non-moving violations, including equipment issues, licensing problems, failure to appear in court, failure to pay fines, and ignoring police authority, suggesting difficulties in following through with required legal processes. Although crash involvement percentages were slightly higher for the severe ADHD group, this difference was not statistically significant; however, both recorded fatalities in the study occurred within the severe ADHD group. Additionally, severe ADHD young adults were significantly more likely to have their licenses suspended (45% vs. 27%) and to be fined (54% vs. 40%) compared to the comparison group. The study concludes that ADHD is a risk factor for poorer driving performance during early adulthood. Youth displaying severe ADHD symptoms in childhood exhibit higher rates of traffic violations and administrative sanctions, highlighting the long-term implications of the disorder on safety-related behaviors. These results underscore the need for continued monitoring and potentially targeted interventions for this population as they transition into adulthood.

Key finding

Young adults with severe childhood ADHD were significantly more likely than comparisons to have had a license suspended (45 versus 27 percent) and to have been fined (54 versus 40 percent).

Sample size: 448

Provenance

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• novice drivers