Driving with ADHD: What Are the Dangers? The Pitfalls That Intensify During "Long Distances, Monotony, and Non-Medicated Times": Stigma or Awareness

In September 2025, the Brazilian Society of Traffic Medicine (Abramet) warned that drivers with ADHD have a "nearly double" likelihood of being involved in accidents. According to reports, characteristics such as impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity can lead to impaired judgment and risk preference, increasing the risk of accidents on long, monotonous roads and during secondary tasks (eating, selecting music, using a smartphone). On the other hand, it was suggested that performance might improve under conditions requiring attention, such as congested urban roads or driving manual cars. Past large-scale studies have also reported a significant reduction in traffic accidents during periods of ADHD medication treatment. On social media, concerns about "leading to stigmatization" are mixed with support for "spreading realistic measures." The key is optimizing treatment and driving habits according to individual symptoms and environments. Awareness should focus not on "banning driving" but on "creating conditions for safe driving."