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Difficulties with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity can make driving more dangerous for those with ADHD.
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Ritalin and Adderall can treat the underlying ADHD symptoms that lead to dangerous driving for those with ADHD.
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Small studies have shown that Ritalin can improve driving ability and safety for those with ADHD. However, these studies have not yet found a benefit for Adderall.
Studies have consistently shown that adults with ADHD tend to drive more dangerously. As shown in the small study below, they are more likely to get into car accidents and close calls:
Based on the study's results, the authors concluded that those with ADHD were more likely to engage in risky or distracted driving and were prone to impulsivity when driving. Drivers with ADHD had more accidents and more unsafe driving events.
These close calls often come from drivers with ADHD acting more impulsively and driving while distracted. These are all related to ADHD symptoms:
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The nature of g-force events are quite different for ADHD drivers than non-ADHD drivers, with non- drivers being more likely to have g-force events in either the situation of lapsed attention to the road or as part of defensive driving, whereas ADHD drivers have more events triggered by adverse driving conditions, increased risky driving behavior, increased impulsive and hyperactive behavior, and distraction by factors inside the car.
Ritalin and Adderall are two of the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD. Both are stimulant medications and have been shown to effectively reduce ADHD symptoms.
One study below compared Ritalin with Adderall to see which was better at improving driving ability.
The study showed that those who were given Ritalin showed significantly better driving skills and abilities than those who were not treated.
On the other hand, those who were given Adderall did not show any improvement:
This study provides further evidence that medication can improve driving performance for those with ADHD. Ritalin led to significant improvements in driving among teenagers. The improvements in driving performance were driven by fewer stop sign violations, fewer episodes of speeding, and fewer incidents of accidentally leaving the road.
Those who were given Ritalin were less likely to drive over the speed limit, drive off the road, and roll through stop signs.
Another study of Ritalin alone confirmed the benefits of Ritalin for safe driving.
Adults who were given Ritalin were less impulsive, drove straighter, and drove at more reasonable speeds. They were also more likely to use their turn signal:
These results suggest that ADHD medication, particularly stimulant medication such as Adderall and Ritalin, may improve driving performance among those with ADHD. Those with ADHD experienced significant improvements in steering ability, turn signal usage, and driving speed on methylphenidate, aka Ritalin.
Key Takeaways
Attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity are all core ADHD symptoms. As shown by the first study above, they also make it harder to drive safely.
Ritalin and Adderall both have been shown to improve ADHD symptoms:
Based on the small studies conducted so far, Ritalin has been consistently shown to improve driving ability.
Adderall has not. However, given our understanding of the benefits of Adderall for ADHD, future, more extensive studies may show benefits of Adderall for drivers with ADHD.