Should Truck Drivers Take Ritalin?

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CANTON, Texas. ADHD is a condition characterized by an inability to pay attention and is associated with increased hyperactivity. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, individuals with ADHD may have difficulty focusing on the task at hand. A person with ADHD may fidget quite a bit or need to move around, and they may behave in an impulsive manner. With distracted driving killing thousands of people each year, should people diagnosed with ADHD be permitted to drive? And, if they are permitted to drive, should there be restrictions on granting commercial truck licenses to individuals with ADHD?

As it stands, medical professionals have a great deal of discretion when it comes to determining whether a commercial truck driver’s ADHD is serious enough to impact their driving. In some cases, drivers will only be permitted to operate a truck if they are taking their medication for ADHD. However, this puts a great deal of responsibility on the truck driver to monitor his or her own health, cognitive focus, and to take medications regularly.

Some proponents of Ritalin use have even suggested that truck drivers without ADHD take the drug to improve their function. According to Healthline, drugs like Ritalin and Adderall may improve truck driver’s reaction time and decrease the number of accidents that take place. As many as 30% of truck drivers may use illegal stimulants to stay awake on the road. If this many drivers are using illegal drugs to stay focused and awake, could taking Ritalin or Adderall help them stay focused in a safe manner? Researchers believe that some truck drivers may have ADHD and not be diagnosed. These researchers believe that making Ritalin and Adderall regularly available may not only treat those truck drivers who have not been diagnosed, but also improve the driving ability of those without the condition.

Adderall and Ritalin can increase a person’s reaction time and focus. A recent Netflix documentary explored how some adults are using Adderall and Ritalin to increase their performance at work and at school. Yet, there are risks when these drugs are taken without a prescription. Some individuals claim that they need more and more of the drug to function properly. Some research even suggests that the drugs don’t improve performance at all but just make people feel like they’re doing better.

While truck drivers with ADHD should be diagnosed and treated, the idea that all truck drivers should be taking this medication is absurd. Rather than expecting people to exhibit superhuman performance, we need to start having reasonable expectations. This means giving truck drivers reasonable hours so that they aren’t fatigued all the time. This means holding companies accountable when they fail to give their truck drivers reasonable hours.

The Cooper Law Firm are truck accident lawyers in Canton, Texas who help families seek justice after a loved one is hurt in a crash. The law requires truck companies to abide by strict local and federal trucking laws. Failure to follow these laws can lead to serious and even deadly accidents. If you or a loved one was hurt in a truck crash, speak to https://www.cooper-law-firm.com/ today to learn more.

Cooper Law Firm
501 N Third St,
Longview, TX 75601
Telephone: (903) 297-0037

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