Some are morning people and happily jump out of bed as soon as the day dawns, while others are night owls who prefer to stay up late in the evenings.
Morning people are often perceived as more diligent and disciplined than their nighttime counterparts.
According to a degree from the University of Granada morning people are generally also significantly better drivers than night owls.
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Drive different well in the morning
For the study, which was conducted in 2014, 29 students were selected who were either very distinctive morning or evening people.
The students were allowed to drive in a car simulator at eight o’clock in the morning and eight o’clock in the evening and were tested for factors such as attention, reaction skills and behavior.
What was found was that the evening people drove worse than the morning people in the morning, but that the morning people drove equally well both in the morning and in the evening.
On average, the morning people therefore drove significantly better.
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A matter of genetics
According to the researchers, whether you are a morning person or a night owl does not depend on external factors, but rather can be explained by our DNA.
Some therefore have a circadian rhythm that makes them more alert early in the day, while some feel more awake and productive during the evening.
So it is not necessarily a matter of laziness or discipline.
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Some times everyone drives badly
According to the researchers, the results of the study may be important for increasing safety in various types of occupations.
– Some professions involve the performance of tasks that require high attention and vigilance – pilots, air traffic controllers, supervisors at nuclear power plants, surgeons, truck drivers, said Angel Correa who is the main researcher behind the study.
According to Correa, it may make sense for these groups to adapt their schedules to the circadian rhythm.
However, Correa notes that there are certain times of the day when pretty much everyone drives worse due to the circadian rhythm, for example early afternoon and between three and five at night.
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