Abstract Objective: Young adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are at higher risk for being involved in automobile crashes. Driving simulators have been used in a variety of contexts to categorize a number of deficits in performance exhibited by drivers with ADHD. Recent research focuses on non-distracted driving. However, in-vehicle infotainment and communications systems are known to further contribute to a driver's risk of collision. This paper explores the impact of secondary tasks on the driving performance of individuals with and without ADHD. Methods: Data are drawn from two portions of a validated driving simulation that represent the periods before, during and after participation in a secondary task. Secondary tasks include a cellular phone task administered in a high stimulus setting and a working memory task presented during low stimulus driving. Data from drivers with and without ADHD was compared. Results: When compared to the control group, drivers with ADHD have more difficulty performing the cellular telephone task but fail to modulate their driving in a way that compromises safety. Highway driving performance is impaired in individuals with ADHD. The degree of impairment increases while participating in a working memory task. Conclusions: The results suggest in low stimulus driving, attention to the secondary task substantially impact the performance of ADHD drivers
