Chronotype-dependent circadian rhythmicity of driving safety

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. Thu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chronobiology international 2014-05, Vol.31 (4), p.532-541
Main Authors: Del Rio-Bermudez, Carlos, Diaz-Piedra, Carolina, Catena, Andrés, Buela-Casal, Gualberto, Di Stasi, Leandro Luigi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accidents, Traffic - prevention & control
Accidents, Traffic - psychology
Activity Cycles
Adult
Automobile Driving - psychology
Circadian Rhythm
Circadian rhythms
Computer Simulation
driving
eveningness
Female
Humans
Male
morningness
Risk Factors
simulator
Sleep
Task Performance and Analysis
Time Factors
Wakefulness
Young Adult
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0742-0528
1525-6073
DOI:10.3109/07420528.2013.876427