Research published earlier this month reveals male teens with disruptive behaviour disorders are more likely to be involved in traffic accidents. Findings suggest new legislation is needed for licencing drivers with ADHD and other related disorders.

Using Ontario healthcare databases to find correlations, the study found a higher than normal incidence of male teen drivers with disruptive behaviour disorders involved in car collisions. Results also show an association between young male pedestrians with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and traffic accidents.

Donald Redelmeier, lead author of the study and University of Toronto professor, says the results imply a need for stricter licencing requirements for those who are easily distracted due to a medically diagnosed disorder. From the Globe and Mail:

“Taking away peoples’ driver’s licences is not the solution,” Dr. Redelmeier said. “Instead we argue that ADHD ought to be considered just like diabetes and just like epilepsy. Specifically, if you wish to maintain a driver’s licence, you need to see your doctor and show that you are under good control.”

Published in the journal Public Library of Science Medicine, the study allowed researchers to determine that young men with ADHD were at a greater risk for road accidents than the general public. They did this by comparing hospital admissions during April 2002 to March 2009 of young men with ADHD involved in a crash with young men hospitalized for appendicitis.

It should be noted the actual prevalence of traffic accidents involving young men with ADHD could be underestimated, as the study only includes those aware of their disorder and who had access to medical treatment. Many cases of disruptive behaviour disorders go undiagnosed.

The Globe and Mail article points out that the exact causes of the crashes studied may never be known, but that the typical behaviour of those with ADHD suggest they are more susceptible to distractions and are unable to concentrate on one task for extended periods of time. Taken together, the findings from the study identifies a previously unknown potential risk to public road safety.

Dr. Redelmeier said physicians as well as individuals with ADHD and related disorders should be more cognizant of the fact they may be at a greater risk when driving or even crossing the street. It’s important they keep in mind principles of safe driving, such as avoiding excessive speed and minimizing other distractions, such as cellphones, and pay attention when they are crossing streets.

But Dr. Edmunds [an ADHD researcher] suggests there may be no easy solution to the risks outlined in the study. That’s because individuals with disruptive behaviour disorders seem to have trouble remembering to perform tasks that are ingrained in others, such as always checking their blind spot before changing lanes. Similarly, those individuals may not be able to react during an emergency situation the same way as the general population.

More research in this area is necessary before legislation is proposed but the study’s authors say at the very least their results command increased awareness to the risks for male teens with ADHD. At the most, the study concludes its results indicate a certain portion of preventable traffic deaths and disability.

If this study accurately identifies ADHD as a potential driving hazard, how do you think the Canadian government should handle driving and disruptive behaviour disorders?