Influence of Seasonal and Chronobiological Factors on Driver Behavior and Traffic Accident Risk: A Scoping Review
URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13109013/pdf/
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Summary
PRISMA-ScR scoping review of how seasonal and chronobiological factors influence driver behavior and traffic-crash risk. Following a structured search and screening, 40 studies were retained for synthesis after 31 exclusions, with 9 studies addressing seasonality jointly with circadian factors. The review confirms a seasonal pattern in crash occurrence and links it to winter melatonin deficits (drowsiness), seasonal cortisol shifts that may impair cognitive control and risk assessment, daylight-saving-time transitions that elevate fatigue, and adverse winter road conditions. Sleep regulation is framed via Process S/Process C interactions disrupted by reduced winter photoperiod.
Key finding
Crash risk varies seasonally through identifiable chronobiological mechanisms — winter melatonin loss, seasonal cortisol elevation, DST-driven fatigue, and adverse weather — implying time-of-year is a non-trivial input to driver-safety models.
Methodology
PRISMA-ScR scoping review
Sample size: 40 studies synthesized (9 addressing seasonality + circadian jointly)
Quality score: 5 / 5