...especially within the first month after receipt of their license, when the crash risk for young drivers with ADHD was 62% higher.
* Adolescents with ADHD also had higher rates of violations for speeding, electronics use, not wearing a seat belt, and driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Why this matters
* The increased risk for crashes and driving violations was largely a result of preventable risky driving behaviors, suggesting targeted prevention strategies are needed for adolescents with ADHD.
Study design
* Study of 14,936 adolescents between 2004 and 2014.
* Funding: NIH.
Key results
* 12% of adolescents were diagnosed with ADHD.
* Within the first month after licensure, crash rate was 2.8% in patients with ADHD vs 1.9% in those without (adjusted rate ratio, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.18-2.23).
* Within 48 months of receiving license, adolescents with ADHD vs without had higher violation rates for:
* Speeding: 30.4% vs 21.6% (P<.001).
* Electronics use: 7.7% vs 4.8% (P<.001).
* Alcohol or drug use: 3.6% vs 2.2% (P=.006).
* Seat belt nonuse: 23.2% vs 16.5% (P<.001).
Limitations
* Retrospective design.