3 Tips To Drive Safely With Adult ADHD
If have adult ADHD you’re not alone. Per WebMD, an estimated 4-5 percent of adults have been officially diagnosed with it — and that’s not counting the many others who have this condition, but are not diagnosed or treated for it.
While it’s important for every driver to equip themselves with safe driving strategies, it’s even more vital for those living with symptoms of ADHD. As Nadine Lambert, Ph.D. of the University of California at Berkeley shared with ADDitude Magazine, “People with ADHD have serious difficulties planning ahead, following through, and staying on task — things you need to do to drive safely.”
So, if you do have adult ADHD, what’s a driver to do? No worries. We’ve rounded up some practical tips to help improve your focus and protect yourself and others on the road.
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Curb distractions
Photo: © General Motors
For starters, minimize distractions inside of the vehicle. Though drivers differ on what things they find the most distracting behind the wheel, there are a few practices that everyone should find helpful.
Adjust the mirror, seat, and temperature settings before you hit the road. While you’re at it, find the right playlist to suit your mood so you don’t have to fiddle with dials and screen prompts when the car is in motion.
Refrain from drinking beverages and eating snacks while driving. Mute your smartphone and keep it in the glovebox or front console out of sight.
You might even consider keeping conversation to a minimum if that’s one of your distraction triggers, as Verywell Mind’s Keath Low suggests. Or have passengers sit in the backseat to keep the cockpit area a bit quieter.
Opt for a manual transmission
Photo: Foundry Co via Pixabay
When choosing your vehicle, consider going with a manual rather than an automatic transmission. According to Low, the gear shifts involved with a manual can help you feel more engaged with the driving process. This, in turn, will boost your focus when driving.
Remember to buckle up
Photo: The News Wheel
With adult ADHD, it’s easy to forget simple things — both on and off the road. Don’t forget to buckle up, though! Put a reminder on your dash, if your vehicle doesn’t have a built-in seatbelt reminder.
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Whitney Russell resides in Dayton, though her spirit can be found beach-bumming in Puerto Rico (the land of her half-Puerto Rican heritage). When not crafting car-related content, she can be found chasing after the most amazing toddler in the world, watching her “beaver” of a husband build amazing woodworking projects, hanging out with two crazy dogs, and visiting family and friends. She also enjoys traveling, crafting, and binge-watching period dramas when time allows. See more articles by Whitney.