On the influence of ADHD in road traffic: Results of a cross-sectional study of drivers with a history of traffic offenses

Abstract

The relevance of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to participation in road traffic is now well-established. Based on the impairments caused by the core symptoms, various risk factors associated with ADHD can be identified. In the present study, a sample of N = 630 drivers with traffic offenses was examined and, in a first step, compared with a normative sample (N = 1845). Subsequently, predictive properties of specific traffic offenses were investigated for ADHD symptoms using linear regression analyses. The probability of underlying ADHD symptoms is significantly higher in traffic offenders than in the normative sample – with the exception of the "stress intolerance" scale. The offense of "driving without a license" is the only predictor of underlying ADHD. The results indicate a high proportion of adults with ADHD in the group of drivers with traffic offenses. In cases of specific offenses, a more thorough diagnostic assessment for ADHD is recommended. Furthermore, there are indications of a strong tendency towards socially desirable responses, which should be taken into account in traffic psychology training.