Adolescent road safety: pedestrian behavior in ADHD and typically developing groups

Interaction with the road environment as a pedestrian begins early, increasing during adolescence with growing independence. However, pedestrians face crash risks, particularly those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

This study compared the road-crossing and sidewalk-walking behaviors of adolescents with and without ADHD in virtual road scenarios. Twenty-one participants with ADHD and 21 adolescents with typical development from 11 to 16 years of age, paired for gender and intelligence participated in the study.

Adolescents with ADHD displayed more unintentional risky behaviors, such as wandering while crossing, looking away, and taking longer to avoid obstacles. However, they also showed positive behaviors, such as checking both sides of the road before crossing. Manifestations of inattention, as observed by parents, were associated with these risky behaviors.

Our results extend previous findings, showing that ADHD puts adolescent pedestrians at greater risk in the road context, despite manifesting also potential positive behaviors.