Would you be happy if music were banned from cars?
Many of us have our favourite songs to listen to while on the road but could our favourite tune be adversely affecting the way we drive? Recent research suggests it does.
A selection of drivers were exposed to different playlists based upon music type and were each asked to drive a certain distance. Over the course of the drive, the drivers’ heart rates, driving skills and changes in behaviour whilst behind the wheel were all monitored.
Researchers concluded that we drive most safely while listening to music that mimics the human heartbeat at a tempo of 60 to 80 beats per minute. Some of these included songs by Justin Timberlake, Coldplay, Elton John, and Radiohead.
Our most dangerous driving occurs while listening to tunes that are noisy and raise the heart rate past its natural levels. These songs take the driver’s attention away from the road and focus it upon the music instead, causing us to speed up in order to match the tempo of the song.
As a result of these findings, there is a movement beginning to question if we should be allowed to have music in our cars at all.
Do you drive while listening to music? Do you think it affects your mood or your driving skills? Would you be happy to accept a ban on music in your car?
