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Chronobiology International
The Journal of Biological and Medical Rhythm Research
Volume 31, 2014 - Issue 4
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Research Article

Chronotype-dependent circadian rhythmicity of driving safety

, , , &
Pages 532-541 | Received 27 Jul 2013, Accepted 13 Dec 2013, Published online: 08 Jan 2014
 

Abstract

Among the factors associated with driving safety, sleep-related variables constitute a leading cause of road accidents. Circadian fluctuations of driver’s somnolence has been previously linked to road safety. However, the role of chronotype in this relationship has been poorly investigated. Thus, the aim of the present work was to address whether driving performance is influenced by circadian patterns, in turn modulated by the driver’s chronotype and the time of day (i.e. synchrony effect). We assessed 47 healthy young adults with specific chronotypes in several simulated driving sessions, both in the morning and in the evening. We collected driving performance data, along with self-reported levels of activation prior to each driving session and other sleep-related variables. Participants drove less safely when testing times took place outside their optimal time of day, as determined by their chronotype and confirmed by self-reported levels of activation. These differences were more pronounced in the morning, when morning types shown a better driving performance. Our results suggest that chronotype plays an important role as a modulator of the relationship between the time of day and driving safety. Therefore, it is necessary to acknowledge this variable in theoretical models of driving behavior, and for the improvement of occupational accidents prevention programs.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Alberto Megías and Ana Olmedo for technical assistance and Prof. Antonio Candido for his comments.

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