ADD = Safe Drivers | ADHD Information
I think I am more aware than most drivers. I am always scanning what is happening way ahead as well as right in front and behind me. I find that I can even predict by the way people drive when they will get off the Hwy even when they don't change lanes or use signals.
I still think most people would consider me a bad driver because I am constantly speeding in reponse to being chronically late where ever I am going. Even on meds.
Well, I've never had an accident, so I'm definitely going with safer as the answer! Nope. I think many of us are more likely to be BAD drivers BECAUSE of our distractibility. I get distracted by every little thing so I end up not paying attention to the road. Noticing your surroundings does not make you a better driver if it distracts you from actually driving. For example, I might notice something out of the corner of my eye but then I forget about what's right in front of me and almost rear-end someone. I've never had an accident but I attribute that to luck, not ADHD. I've ALMOST had many many many accidents but I always reacted at the very last second and barely avoided hitting the other cars. Daydreaming while I drive is also a problem for me. [QUOTE=Lizzygrl79]Hi Ladies,
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Hold on a moment .. rustle rustle.. zzzip.. <peek> .. zzzip rustle .. nope, I'm still a 'He'.
[QUOTE=Lizzygrl79]
Actually, people with ADHD are found to be worse drivers.I learned this in school, because I am in nursing school we learned all about it.It is because people with ADHD are more distractable.
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OK, but distracted by what? Almost everything that is going on around you is relevant when you are controling a vehicle on the open road. I have heard the theory that ADHDers make poor drivers many times, - from people without ADHD I might add - yet looking through the eyes of someone who does have this condition I do not normally find this to be so. Distraction only becomes an issue when there is not enough going to keep the mind interested, such as in traffic queues - then, I accept that avoiding tail-ending the vehicle in front becomes more of a concern. The rest of the time the brain is scooping up everything that's going on around, and discarding it a second or so later.
Which is what ADHDers do all the time
[QUOTE=Lizzygrl79]
we have delayed response time.
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Don't let my wife hear you say that - or she'll never get on my motorcycle again...
[QUOTE=Lizzygrl79]
It's because people with ADHD have hypofontality[/QUOTE]
Me too? Why, thank you very much!
I think all ADDers may be created somewhat equal, but environmental and individual aspects have probably made the adult with it much more unique in some respects from other ADDers. Not even considering the different types and potencies of ADD.I'm sure what I'm about to say will offend some of you, but please don't take it that way! I'm really bad with words, and sometimes they sound different than what I really mean....
With that said, it probably just depends on the unique individual. But for those who may be more able to focus on something that's life-critical (maybe akin to something that we consider "interesting"), driving can be a strength with ADD. I wonder if that came out right? LOL
But I must agree with some of the other posts... I can almost perfectly predict what other drivers are going to do. I must also admit that while city driving is okay for me, it is still a pain, and I VERY much prefer the interstate, or some other crowded road - even if it takes me out of my way a bit.
Hi Ladies,
Actually, people with ADHD are found to be worse drivers.I learned this in school, because I am in nursing school we learned all about it.It is because people with ADHD are more distractable and we have delayed response time.It's because people with ADHD have hypofontality (decreased blood flow to the frontal lobe).It doesn't mean all people with ADHD are bad drivers.I know I have only got into 1 accident since i have been driving.Oddly enough it was because I was paying attention to something else (who would have known..lol).It was a really interesting fact.Just a little FYI
Liz
Also, do ADDers make better parkers? We are perfectionists, right?
Okay... I realize it's a stupid post, but it's 12:49am and I'm tired, and I'm new to the forums, and I was just curious about this, since my g/f and I had this discussion the other day. (yes, i'm still thinking about it )
It's not a stupid post at all, and I was thinking about this yesterday.
It makes sense if you think about it - what is safe driving? It is mainly an awareness of hazards and the ability to prioritize, and respond to them. Our minds could almost be designed for this task. Though I think we have problems at low speed in heavy traffic, when the external hazards are at a minimum - then distraction can set in and lead to situations like this: http://www.markgoode.f9.co.uk/ima/cantbegood.jpg (some of you will have seen this before).
I'm at my best when driving, I think; even more so when I'm tearing up the English countryside on a large, antisocial motorcycle.
Mark -
CreativeCrazy, I have sort of done these things.... I remember very shortly after I got my license, one day I was trying to fit my drink cup into the cup holder, and when I looked up I was headed straight for the ditch.
Fortunately I was able to save myself and get back on the road in time.More than once I have pulled out of a parking lot and noticed at the last second that there was another vehicle coming.
I remember driving 100km an hour (limit was 60) up a huge hill, and once I started down the other side, I hit a huge patch of ice and totally lost control. I remember seeing an older man pulled over in the oncoming lane shaking his fist at me. By sheer luck or the grace of God, I managed to stay on the road and I was able to regain control near the bottom of the hill.
These types of incidents helped me learn early on that I was just as much a "dreamer" in the car as I was everywhere else. I think they scared me into paying more attention while driving. I always play music because it helps keep my mind "in" the car and not off in lala land, and it really does help. I've still had my fair share of "near misses", but my reflexes have managed to save me everytime (knock on wood).
One of the questions to diagnose you as ADHD in the book Driven to Distraction is "have you had repeated car accidents?" Or something like that...if you answer yes to it it is a sign...along with the other 100 questions....
I have had so many car accidents as well as speeding tickets.
Car accidents:
Totaled two cars before I was 18. Totaled my Mom's "sunday" car. (danced on the hood of my car at an outdoor concert not realizing that my heels were scratching the hood)LOL that was my first car when I was 16...my dad wasn't too happy about that.
When I was in my 20s I ran into a car in front of me because I was trying to pick up something on the floor.
Recently backed out of my garage and did not see my husbands car behind me ...and ran into his car on the side..so this messed up mine and his car.
Was talking to a friend and backed into a car parked behind my driveway.
Pulled out of a parking space in an underground parking spot and hit the pole on the side of my car.
Tickets: Many speeding tickets when I was young because I wasn't paying attention to how fast I was going or did not realize how fast I was going....or was paying more attention to my make up or the song on the radio ....or changing the CD, tape , or channel..
Anyone else do any of this type of stuff?
[QUOTE=Mark Goode]It's just a thought (and probably quite wrong
)[/QUOTE]Nice to know I'm not the only who thinks about things like this!
But for the record, I think your theory makes sense.Mark, I think you are right in a way though...because if I really focus..especially after all of those accidents...I now back up extra perfect...and I haven't had a road accident in 6 years...just the backing up accidents...the accidents have made me pay attention and I have been able to avoid people hitting me because I have learned to hyperfocus when I drive...so you are correct ...it prob starts after you need to or prob if you enjoy driving then you hyperfocus because you enjoy it...I hate driving so that is prob why when I was younger I had tons of accidents.
[QUOTE=CreativeCrazy]One of the questions to diagnose you as ADHD in the book Driven to Distraction is "have you had repeated car accidents?" Or something like that...if you answer yes to it it is a sign...along with the other 100 questions....
I have had so many car accidents as well as speeding tickets.
Car accidents:
Totaled two cars before I was 18. Totaled my Mom's
"sunday" car. (danced on the hood of my car at an outdoor concert not
realizing that my heels were scratching the hood)LOL that was my first car when I was 16...my dad wasn't too happy about that.
When I was in my 20s I ran into a car in front of me because I was trying to pick up something on the floor.
Recently backed out of my garage and did not see my husbands car behind me ...and ran into his car on the side..so this messed up mine and his car.
Was talking to a friend and backed into a car parked behind my driveway.
Pulled out of a parking space in an underground parking spot and hit the pole on the side of my car.
Tickets: Many speeding tickets when I was young because I wasn't paying attention to how fast I was going or did not realize how fast I was going....or was paying more attention to my make up or the song on the radio ....or changing the CD, tape , or channel..
Anyone else do any of this type of stuff?
[/QUOTE]I think repeated car accidents makes a lot more sense than the ADD equals safe driver theory. I myself have never had a car accident but as I said before, I have had many almost-car accidents and I was able to barely avoid them in the last second. That doesn't make me a safe driver. Quite the opposite actually. It makes me a dangerous driver who just happens to have good reflexes and adaptability skills. I still consider myself to be an unsafe driver.
scarygreengiant38408.4405324074 [QUOTE=scarygreengiant]
I think repeated car accidents makes a lot more sense than the ADD equals safe driver theory. I myself have never had a car accident but as I said before, I have had many almost-car accidents and I was able to barely avoid them in the last second. That doesn't make me a safe driver. Quite the opposite actually. It makes me a dangerous driver who just happens to have good reflexes and adaptability skills. I still consider myself to be an unsafe driver.
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Well, as much as it hurts my ego, I think I have to agree.
The only accidents I have had were when I was backing up. I attribute this to my lack of depth perception (which I am sure I read somewhere was also an ADHD trait). I give myself alot of room when going forwards unless someone pisses me off. I can't seem to do the same going backwards even though this is when I drive the slowest.
Well, perhaps ADHD doesn't make a difference then, as we seem to have both safe drivers and complete menaces in this forum...
Mark -
I'm a really bad driver because it's so boring. I hate driving. True, I'm always looking at everything while I'm driving, but if something interesting catches my eye it'll remind me of something else and I'm thinking about that and all of the sudden I'm going 20 over the speed limit and I just passed the road I was supposed to turn onto. The ironic thing is that my mom, who has ADD too, thinks that she's a great driver. I won't drive with her because she always makes that face that moms make when they think that they're going to die because you're going to hit the car that's a half mile in front of you that tapped their brakes and you didn't come to a complete stop. Then I tell her to stop criticizing my driving and she says that she didn't say anything so we get into an argument and then I almost do have an accident. However, she has torn off quite a few rearview mirrors trying to back into the garage, which I've never done.[QUOTE=csr19us]I've had the same comments made about me by many people... that my reaction times are unreal. That seems to be a very good point.
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I wonder... One of the problems we ADHDers have (or so I'm told) is that we lack a 'response inhibitor' of some kind - which is why we are impulsive, tactless etc.
Could this 'response inhibitor' actually slow the reaction time of those people who are not ADHD? Perhaps even a reaction such as avoiding an accident needs to be checked by this inhibitor in non-ADHDers to see if it's appropriate, whereas we just do it.
It's just a thought (and probably quite wrong )
Mark -
LOL! I've had my fair share of these too.
My exceptional reflexes and intuition have saved me more than once!
It's like I react before I am even fully aware of what I'm doing.I've had the same comments made about me by many people... that my reaction times are unreal. That seems to be a very good point.
It does seem like we are able to make complex decisions and take educated actions in just a split second.
I have had some close calls, myself, but in retrospect of those situations, I have always found that I surprised myself with how thoroughly, quickly, and automatically I weighed out my options without even thinking... and acted on them.
Interesting discussion. [QUOTE=bcgirl1978]
I've read in many articles that ADDers are very intuitive. Spaced out or not, I think when it counts we can adjust very quickly to just about any situation.
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That's an interesting point. Maybe that's why I've had so many almost-car accidents, as opposed to actual car accidents. Even though I'm a terrible driver I've been able to adapt and avoid the accident milliseconds before they actually happen.
scarygreengiant38407.4880324074 Well, I don't think I have a delayed reaction time at all. Quite the opposite. I have lightning fast reflexes, and have always said that one day my reflexes will save my life.
One night last summer, I was driving home from a friend's house at 2am. It was raining and obviously very dark. I was just starting through an intersection when I noticed something white out of the corner of my eye - I looked out my driver's side window just in time to see the great big grill of an SUV making a left turn - right at me! It appeared to be no more than a foot away from me. It was far too late for the brakes. In the span of .0001 seconds, I was able to check that my right lane was clear, and I floored the gas and swerved at the same time. I braced for the hit but it never came. He went behind me. My boyfriend, who was sitting in the passenger seat and had likely just soiled himself, said "how did you do that??? I thought for sure he was going to hit us!!!"
I've read in many articles that ADDers are very intuitive. Spaced out or not, I think when it counts we can adjust very quickly to just about any situation.
bcgirl197838407.4535185185I have to agree with all of the above comments. I had never had an accident in over 25 years of driving until very recently. That was on a busy highway. I was noticing a truck passing me on the right at 60 mph, while the person in front of me stopped. I must say though, that in that fraction of a second I remember processing information on what was going on in to my left and right and making a judgement that running into the person in front of my was my best option. I did spill my coffee and wreck my car, but no injuries to anyone. I find backroads much less stressful than highways. [QUOTE=Mark Goode]
Well, perhaps ADHD doesn't make a difference then, as we seem to have both safe drivers and complete menaces in this forum...
Mark -
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Perhaps it's a question of being hyperfocused or not.
When i drive i notice everything, and my concentration is exceptional high. The other day when i was riding my tuned moped at 70 km/h i noticed some frozen snow infront of me wich i figured would work as a rail and make me crash, so i braked hard on the otherwise dry road and stopped braking as i had to pass this snow... it worked just as a rail... and i lost balance, wich i reacted on by turning hard to the left, and then the wheel jumped up on the snowrail and i lost my balance the other way. By then my front wheel had hit some dry road, and i blocked the front wheel to regain the balance... wich ALMOST suceeded, and then i stood of the bike with 5 km/h... nothing happend... actually... it all went in slow motion in my mind, because of my great focus.
Another ADHD person would be thinking about their itchy ass wich they soon would be falling on with 70 km/h because of their unattentiveness..... ?
Taag Man38411.2775[QUOTE=BOBEL]come on easily distracted, change focus, day dream...does that sound like a good driver formula
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Yes.
At least the first two do. And I'm not alone in this - one of the '.. to Distraction' books describes driving as the ideal environment for the ADDer (but hey, what do they know?).
What is there to focus on when you are driving? What single thing? Perhaps the only thing that requires constant attention is remembering to hold on to the steering wheel. Everything else is changing by the second, and demands an ever changing focus. And easily distracted? Good! Distraction is what pulls your attention away from something - like the children playing up ahead should indeed pull your attention away from the tail lights of the car in front. I accept that attention may also be grabbed by birds, cows in fields, clouds, etc. - but should be dismissed as of no interest immediately. (If you can't do that then OK, you're a dangerous driver.)
And daydreaming? No, not while I'm driving or riding a motorcycle - there's far too much going on around me.
Mark -
come on easily distracted, change focus, day dream...does that sound like a good driver formula
I am better in the car alone than with a Passenger. I have had friends tell me to stiop looking at them when i am talking to them while driving
I'd guess yes-and-no.
YES: In the sense that ADDers tend to be highly distractable by their environment, and perhaps visually perceptive, then sure. Also, if hyperfocusing kicks in on the driving task, definitely.
NO: If ADDers are chatting away with someone, it can distract from driving.
Several published studies show dramactically increased rates of accidents with ADDers. Studies in driving simulators are especially dramatic that show performance before and after medication. Driving is an excellent source of information about one's ADHD as it is one of the better tests of executive functioning difficult to replicate in normal psychological testing. Many people find driving to be very boring and thus drive fast, daydream or insist on loud music to combat the monotony. One patient of mine even insisted on trying to read while driving. Riding in the car while someone else drives is also difficult. Sometimes while waiting at red lights people behind ADDers will see the light change before the distracted ADDer and start honking. Hypervigilence is probably a compensatory strategy to make up for the distractibility (like slowing down at all lights, even green out of habit or obsessively using turn signals).[QUOTE=ADHDMD]Several published studies show dramactically increased rates of accidents with ADDers. [/QUOTE]
Ugh, I sure wouldn't want the insurance companies to get wind of this.
floofthegoof38532.304537037I don't like to drive. I've had 4 accidents, and have almost had several more.
I do better in the car by myself.
Men would say while passing me" Figures women drivers"
I also get a lot of hand gestures!!!!!
Hmmm.I tend to get distracted really easily when driving. From mistiming queues of traffic, stopping times. Noticing all the pretty lights (turn signals of several cars in a row are fascinating to watch pulse).
I dont like having open road in front of me, as I tend to use the car in front of me to guage how fast I shoudl be going, or I just drive fast. I get a speeding ticket *always* as my last speeding tickets points are coming off my license and my insurance is going to go down. The last three tickets have been because I am travelling 18 miles over the speed limit. I've had one accident that I caused because I was looking right to check for traffic and 'got stuck' looking at trash cans and rearended someone.
In general I'm a safe driver and I dont go anywhere on bad ADD days.
Oh, I can't commute and after a recent move which meant that my commute would now be one hour in heavy traffic have started getting to work at 5.45 AM so I dont have to deal with it (which could be normal behavior, I guess). But I hate commutes too and will do anything I can to do non-traditional hours to miss peak periods. Which has caused friction in some places that did a traditional 9 - 5.
I feel that ADD makes me an unsafe driver. However, I compensate for that by following the rules of the road. I also give double the recommended following distance which I think is key for an ADDr. I have often needed every inch of it.
I used to just not worry about it and drive, but I then got into a stupid accident which gave me a healthy sense of urgency behind the wheel. There was a stoplight that I usually came to at night when it was flashing. In the US, that means that you may go after you have stopped and the way is clear. I came to the stoplight in the daytime, stopped, and then proceeded to ram right into a crossing pickup truck. I totally spaced out.
Safe drivers??Hell, I'm not even a safe walker. I find it hard not to bump into people on the sidewalk. The scary thing about this is I was thinking of posting something like this the other day. I have only been in one accident that was not my fault, other than that I feel I am a good driver. I have avoided many close calls in my driving years. I am always watching other people around me and looking for something that is not right. Even when I am stopped at a light, I watch the people behind to make sure they are going to stop. I really enjoy driving and that is when I do my thinking. One other thing about my driving is that I do speed alot. It is not that I do not mind driving, it is just that I am very impatient and people that are slow really irritate me. Growing up, I was always in trouble with speeding tickets, and that is one of the things that I was asked when I was being diagnosed for my ADHD. I am not sure how many other people with ADHD speed, which is kind of funny when you use the time as well to think. [QUOTE=GarbagePailKid] Safe drivers??
Hell, I'm not even a safe walker. I find it hard not to bump into people on the sidewalk.
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Boy, Kid, can I relate to that! I mean, I AM a very safe, defensive driver, but don't let me loose as a pedestrian.
[quote=Taag Man]it all went in slow motion in my mind, because of my great focus.[/quote]
I fell out of a tree picking fruit while on a very tall ladder in Israel, and as I fell, everything was in slow motion. I still remember how it felt, and that was over 20 years ago! A lot of things like falling, or "close calls" happen to me in slow motion. Interesting!
I'd probably be a good witness if a passenger in a car that's in an accident. However, I don't really want to find out.
Oh, for whatever it's worth...I'm definitely ADHD!
GypsyWomyn38509.3548726852[QUOTE=Lizzygrl79]
It is because people with ADHD are more distractable and we have delayed response time.
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i got a contradicting fact that i know for shore they are write
the brain of a ADHD'er (i don't know if this applies on ADD'ers) is 1.5 times as fast as a normal person
i found it some ware and asked it my docker and he said it was right
SAB2638507.4422800926i am not an exceptionally safe driver.
besides several accidents (including one just two days ago), i have had thousands of near misses and recoveries.
the add makes me distractable, and hypervigilant, so the cause is also part of the rescue.
another thing- when i'm driving (and that's a lot, i live in the rocky mtns.) i almost never see my friends in their vehicles. they wave, and i'm happily seeing everything else(i always see animals, elk & fox etc. long before coming near), listening to music, thinking about a dozen unrelated things, and missing my turns.
Most people are defensive drivers. I'd consider myself an offensive driver.
This is probably a bad thing since I live in wiggerland, and I'll probably get shot one of these days.
[QUOTE=SAB26]
the brain of a ADHD'er (i don't know if this applies on ADD'ers) is 1.5 times as fast as a normal person
i found it some ware and asked it my docker and he said it was right
[/QUOTE]anyone got informations on this ?
I will admit to being a not so great driver, but I have mostly close accidents...or I bump into stuff.
I take my eyes off the road to mess with the radio (my contstant channel flipping) or look for CDs. I will miss stop signs until I'm on top of them, or I will see a green light somewhere else and miss the red one that I'm at. I'll get too involved with a conversation I'm having. Daydreaming keeps my mind off the road.
The more familiar I am with a route, the less attention I pay to what I am doing.