Listening to music in the car is incredibly common. Most drivers do it consistently, and some would report that they listen to music the majority of the time that they drive. Even those who don’t choose music will often listen to other types of content, like podcasts or audiobooks.
However, as common as it is, listening to music in the car can significantly increase the odds of an accident. There are two main reasons why this is true, which we will explore briefly below.
Aggressive driving
First and foremost, some studies have noted that music can make people drive aggressively. This is more common when the music has a fast tempo or is otherwise loud and aggressive in style. Drivers become more likely to make aggressive passes or to tailgate other drivers, for instance, when listening to this music. They may also end up breaking the speed limit without even realizing it, just gradually increasing their speed to match the tempo of the song.
Distracted driving
The second issue is that music can be a significant distraction. A driver who is emotionally connected to the music may be more likely to make driving mistakes. Generally, a driver’s ability declines when they get to choose their own music – while listening to a playlist of classical music or soft jazz can actually have a positive impact on their abilities. It calms them down. But most drivers choose their own songs or playlists, so distractions are common.
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