ADHD And Traffic Accidents
Eight million adults in the United States suffer from Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Unfortunately, less than 20 percent of adults with ADHD are diagnosed and receive treatment for the disorder. New research from Sweden indicates that a person with ADHD is 50 percent more likely to be involved in a serious traffic accident compared to people without ADHD. The good news is that the study found taking medication can reduce the risk, especially for men.
How Does ADHD Impact Driving?
According to The National Resource on ADHD, inattentiveness, distraction, and impulsive behavior are symptoms of ADHD. Unfortunately, millions of car accidents each year are the result of the driver being inattentive, distracted, or impulsive. Even for drivers without ADHD, these issues are a problem. For a driver with ADHD, the risk of being in a car accident is significantly greater because he or she may not be able to control these behaviors, especially if the driver does not take ADHD medication.
Drivers with ADHD can take steps to reduce the risk of being in a traffic accident. Some suggestions for drivers with ADHD according to AutoBlog include:
- Take your medication. Medication for ADHD has been shown to improve some of the symptoms of ADHD that can increase a driver’s risk of being involved in a traffic accident.
- Turn on some music. Some researchers state that listening to music helps keep ADHD individuals remain more focused on driving. However, as with anyone who is operating a vehicle, adjusting the controls while driving can be dangerous. Therefore, set your music controls before you leave and use extreme caution if you change the channel or volume while driving.
- Avoid distracted driving. Distracted driving is a problem for all drivers. Avoid all distractions while driving, including but not limited to eating, drinking, reading, texting, grooming, talking on the cell phone, using a GPS device, and interacting with passengers.
- Consider a manual transmission. AutoBlog reports that some people believe using a manual transmission may help ADHD drivers remain more focused while driving. However, using a manual transmission may be difficult for some people. Therefore, you must weigh the advantages versus the disadvantages for each
- Consider carpooling or public transportation. If you are concerned about driving with your condition, consider using public transportation or carpooling with someone.
The important thing to remember if you are a driver with ADHD is to take steps to keep yourself and others on the road safe. This is the same thing all drivers, regardless of their health or medical conditions, must do in order to avoid accidents and make our roads safe for everyone.
Do You Need A Fresno Car Accident Attorney?
If you have been injured in a car accident, contact our office for a free legal consultation. It is important that you have an attorney with experience handling car accident claims on your side to protect your right to receive full compensation for your injuries. Our Fresno car accident attorneys have the experience, skills, and resources necessary to handle your case.
Contact Torem & Associates by phone at (888) 500-5000 or by using our online contact form.
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