If you listen to music in the car, you’re definitely not alone. Music can be an excellent way to pass the time, and certain types of music may actually improve how you drive. Listening to calming music, such as tracks without vocals or classical compositions, can help you relax and drive safely.
However, studies also find that music can contribute to car accidents. Here are two ways it may do so.
Influencing the driver’s behavior
First, some types of music can actually change the way a person drives or feels on the road. For instance, if the music is aggressive, the driver is more likely to increase their speed or make aggressive maneuvers – perhaps without realizing there’s a correlation.
Distracting the driver from the road
Music can also be a major distraction. You’ll sometimes hear people say they need to “turn down the music to see”, especially when looking for a specific street or address. While music doesn’t directly affect vision, it can impact how quickly the brain processes information. Reducing this distraction helps them drive more safely while keeping the music at full volume can distract them.
On top of that, drivers tend to be more distracted by music they know well or feel connected to. Someone with classical music playing in the background may not pay much attention to it. However, someone streaming a playlist of their favorite artists may sing along vigorously, becoming highly distracted.
Seeking compensation
You may avoid distraction and aggressive driving, but you could still be injured by another driver. Take the time to look into your legal options to seek compensation for medical bills and other expenses.