ADHD teens & Driving?

[misty]

Thread Started on Sept 16, 2006, 4:45pm

What do you guys think of an ADDer starting to drive at 16? I know my daughter is only 12 but My hubby is already talking about when shes 16 & teaching her to drive! YIKES! I don't think she'll be ready! How about those of WITH teen ADDers? Did you let them drive at 16, or make them wait? I really think Shannon will need to wait. Also, I get a news letter from Dr DouglasCohen & this week's talks about Teen ADDers & driving. Heres some of what he says:

Should
we let an immature 16 year old, with poor impulse
control and poor judgment get behind the wheel of a
3000 pound vehicle and drive at 65 miles per hour
through town? Ummm, no.

Since ADHD teens typically have emotional, physical,
and developmental delays of from 3 to 6 years,
compared to their peers, allowing a 16 year old with
ADHD to drive your car is roughly the same as letting
an 11 year old drive your car. You can expect to get
the same results. What would you expect the results
of an 11 year old driving your car around the city be?
Tickets? Accidents? Yes!

And teenagers with ADHD have 400% more tickets
and traffic accidents than do teens without ADHD.
This is exactly the results that you would expect to
get because of the developmental delays.

Hyperactive ADHD'er are stimulated by speeding. And
speeding results in tickets and in accidents.

Inattentive ADHD'er tend to get lost, and tend to run
out of gas often, and tend to not watch out for
the "other guy." They will have more than their share
of fender benders in parking lots. Be sure they
always have a charged cell phone with them so that
they can call you when they run out of gas, and are
lost.

Try to wait until your ADHD teen is at least 18 before
you let them drive, if you can. It is a SAFETY issue
for them, and for others.

[misty]

Linda

think it depends on the teen. [image]

When Paul turned 16 I was absolutely paranoid about him getting his license [image]

Here in Michigan Drivers Ed is no longer a given because of lack of money. [image] We had to hire a private instructor which cost up the wazoo [image]

Anyway it turned out he is a good driver who seems to "hyperfocus"....he is watching all the time [image]

But get this....he will only allow 1 passenger in the car with him....go figure



Charlie Girl

I agree that it depends on the kid. Some kids without ADHD shouldn't be allowed near a car until they are 25 IMO.

There are kids with ADHD who know how to take things seriously when necessary. I wouldn't necessarily trust them with a license at 16, but a permit would allow them to start learning if you feel they can handle that.

I must say that I dread my son turning 16 because I believe my hubby will not only encourage him to get his license but will help him get a car. I'm not sure I trust him to handle his bicycle responsibly when I can't see him. No way do I want to think of him in a car.



misty

I know, Barb...my husband thinks she'll be fine to drive at 16. I had heard that PA was raising the driving age to 18, but I haven't heard when/if its actually going to happen. I hope it does.

It amazes me that our country doesn't think kids are adult enough to vote until 21, yet we allow them to operate a vehicle 5 years before!

I know Shannon wouldn't get lost, shes great with direction but I CAN see her paying more attention to changing radio stations than to the road. VERY scary!