Most states have laws against distracted driving — and for good reason. In 2021 alone, 3,522 people died because of distracted drivers. Unfortunately, those laws often only focus on cell phone use. However, taking calls or texting and driving aren't the only major distractions behind the wheel.
According to new research, music also distracts drivers and could be behind thousands of crashes every year. The next time you hit the road, don't make these distracted driving music mistakes.
5 Ways Listening to Music Could Hurt Your Driving
Ask most drivers, and they'll tell you they listen to music in the car. But what they might not know is that listening to music seriously affects their driving.
1. Listening to Music Too Loudly
Music stimulates the brain, but it also interferes with how it processes information. When you listen to loud music, your brain has difficulty focusing on different tasks.
That's a problem when you're driving. According to research, loud music slows down your reaction time. For example, if a driver in front of you slams on the brakes, you might not brake quickly enough and get into a crash.
Turn down the volume so the music is more of a background noise (and not a front-row concert).
2. Singing Out Loud
When you're focusing on a song's lyrics and beat, you don't pay as much attention to your driving. That's a textbook example of distracted driving — and it could put you in danger.
Instead of hosting a one-person karaoke session, keep the singing to a minimum and focus on the road.
3. Fiddling with a Phone
You might not be texting, but even just browsing through your playlist to pick the next hit is dangerous. According to the CDC, taking your eyes off the road for just five seconds while traveling at 55 mph is the same as driving through a football field blindfolded.
If you're using the aux cord to play your music, pick a playlist beforehand and put your phone out of reach. Or have your front-row passenger be the DJ for the ride.
4. Changing the Music
Avoid fumbling with your vehicle's infotainment system while driving. Touch screens are the norm for newer cars, but experts worry they may distract drivers. Stick to using the built-in steering wheel buttons if you need to tune into a different radio station or skip a song.
5. Choosing the Wrong Playlist
Researchers found that teens who listen to their favorite songs while driving made more risky mistakes than when listening to a random playlist. They were so enthralled by the bops that they became distracted.
If you're driving in a city, stay away from loud, upbeat, energized songs. They tend to make drivers less patient and can even lead to road rage. Slower, softer songs are the way to go, according to psychologists.
Should You Stop Listening to Music in the Car?
No! Listening to music in the car has a lot of benefits. For example, it's an excellent way to keep your brain stimulated on long road trips over boring stretches of highways. But at the same time, it shouldn't be the only thing keeping you awake: drowsy driving is deadly too.
At the end of the day, find a balance that works for you. Be it turning down the volume, changing out the playlist, or turning off the music altogether.
Don't Rely on Other Drivers to Be Safe
You might not be jamming out to your favorite songs after reading all this. But that doesn't mean other drivers will also be responsible. You never know when you'll encounter a distracted driver, so it's best to be prepared for the worst. Taking defensive driving classes will teach you how to react to dangers on the road, from inclement weather to inattentive drivers and much more. Learn online, at your own pace, and keep yourself and others safe behind the wheel.
