Aby

Question for drivers who have had trouble keeping to speed limits, especially those with adhd:

How do you teach yourself not to speed?

I got pulled over yesterday and got a ticket for speeding. It's my 4th in the almost 6 years I've been driving - although the other 3 have been for less than 10km over and was following the flow of traffic.

This one was for over 10km over.

I was passing someone who sped up as I was passing them, and I didn't notice I'd sped up so much to get past.

I've noticed that I'm more likely to speed when I haven't taken my ritalin, because I feel anxious being behind another car and not being able to see ahead of everything.

I also feel like I drive better if I don't take my ritalin, because my reflexes are faster and I'm taking in ALL the things around me instead of having a more narrow focus.. so I prefer not to take it if I'm going to do a long drive (yesterday was Bathurst to Sydney and back.. so like 8 hours).

I don't really have a sense of how fast I'm going, and I do check my speedometer but everytime I do that it's taking my eyes off the road so I can't be constantly looking at it.

_____

I don't want a lecture about the dangers of speeding. I KNOW.. it's literally why I'm asking, Chad. I was a nurse for a long time - I have literally seen what speeding does to people, probably more so than most.

#audhd #autism #adhd #neurodiverse #driving #speeding #SpeedingFine #PleaseHelp

Oct 16, 2024 at 9:38amWeb
Show threadFabienOct 16, 2024
@aby If available in your car, use the speed limiter feature?
Show threadAlex von KitchenOct 16, 2024
@aby would learning to use other objects as a reference help? It sounds like you're using other traffic as a reference point, so look for static things?
Show threadAbyOct 16, 2024
@Dangerous_beans - so, getting an idea for the rhythm of passing telegraph poles or something, and making sure that I'm not passing them faster?
Show threadAlex von KitchenOct 16, 2024

@aby yeah, or approaching things at a steady pace. Focus more on driving to the wider conditions than just the traffic

Thinking about it i think i use gear and engine noise/speed, and its kind of subconscious
Also i drive a silly slow car and find it funny when people get annoyed

Show threadroodOct 16, 2024
@aby not the same as you, but I went through something that taught me to use the cruise control because tech is my strong suit, and staying rational isn't.
Show threadnyjanOct 16, 2024

@aby I use the Waze app on my phone, it has pretty up to date map data on speed limits practically everywhere and it also plays a little sound every time I'm crossing over the current speed limit. I don't actually have to look at the app because of the sound and this also does not require actively using their navigation to work.

(Unfortunately it's a Google product, just thought I'd mention that too)

Show threadBiggles 20X6!Oct 16, 2024

@aby as another ADHDer, the techniques I use really depend on the car and its features.
Older cars - I make sure I know which revs match which speeds so I can hear/feel where I am at.
Newer cars - use cruise control as much as possible, set the overspeed warning. Hopefully have a digital display

And in all cars - "other people are out to kill me"
I cannot trust them to obey the speed limit.
I must be the one to set the speed. It is my speed.

I must vigilant for their tricks to lure me to my doom.
Specifically:

Speeding up when I attempt to overtake them (they always do this)

Failure to indicate then turning

Indicating then failing to turn

Placing downhills before speed cameras amd intersections

Also after long distance driving my sense of speed is warped and needs to be readjusted once off the highway

Show thread20000lbs of CheeseOct 16, 2024

@aby
I'm a driving courier with ADHD, and I use 'cruise control' a ton, helps me keep a constant speed despite folks tail gating.

Between that and the mathematical certainty that I can't and won't save any time, but as you said, ya know that already.

I also do constantly keep an eye on my speed otherwise, it's exhausting!

Show threadwritermonkiOct 16, 2024
@aby I use cruise control all the time…
Show threadAlex@rtnVFRmedia Suffolk UKOct 16, 2024

@aby I have a standalone TomTom satnav, which I use as much (or more) for a speed limit reminder than for navigation - just 1mph over the limit for more than a few seconds and you get gonged (its a loud noise which gets more "urgent" depending how far over you are).

I expect other navigation devices and apps can be set to do the same...