Sleep Med Psychophysiol.  1994 Jun;1(1):68-75.

The Effects of Circadian Rhythm in Subjective Alertness on the Occurrence of Traffic Accidents

• Yu BH
• Cho DY
• Jeong DU

Abstract

In order to examine the effects of circadian rhythm in subjective alertness on the occurrence of traffic accidents, the authors investigated the occurrence rate of traffic accidents adjusted to traffic volume in Seoul and the relative rate of fatal accidents versus total traffic accidents in Korea at different times of day in 1991. We analyzed these data in relation with the circadian rhythm in subjective alertness. The results were as follows. Both the occurrence rate of traffic accidents adjusted to traffic volume and the relative rate of fatal accidents versus total traffic accidents were the highest at 3-4 a.m., known as the time period of the lowest subjective alertness. They were negatively correlated with subjective alertness (p<0.05, p<0.001). In conclusion, it is suggested that the circadian rhythm of subjective aletrness should have a significant effect on the occurrence of traffic accidents despite many confounding factors such as driving environments.

Keyword

Traffic accidents; Subjective alertness; Circadian rhythm

MeSH Terms

Accidents, Traffic*
Circadian Rhythm*
Korea
Seoul