Scientists warned about the dangers of listening to music while driving

For many drivers, music is a customary part of the journey: playlists are turned on for mood, fighting fatigue, or stress in traffic jams. According to research, more than 80% of drivers listen to music on almost every trip, and younger drivers often find it more difficult to concentrate without it. However, scientific data shows that the impact of music on driving is far from straightforward. This is reported by The Conversation portal.

Aggregated data from meta-analyses show that music can both help and hinder. On average, drivers listening to music more frequently demonstrate less stable control of speed and distance, and get into a greater number of virtual accidents compared to driving in silence. Meanwhile, the effect on reaction time and lane maintenance remains contradictory and depends on conditions.

Music also increases arousal levels and mental workload - that is, how "loaded" the brain is while driving. This can create a subjective feeling of alertness, but simultaneously intensifies the competition between road perception and audio information processing. For a tired driver, music can indeed help maintain wakefulness, however, the effect typically only lasts for 15-25 minutes.

Volume and type of music also play a role. Studies show that at medium and high volumes, drivers tend to slightly increase their speed, whereas quiet music is more often associated with a calmer driving style.

The tempo of compositions itself is not always a decisive factor, but aggressive and highly emotional tracks can increase the propensity for risk in some drivers.

The factor of choice also proved important. Music selected by the driver typically distracts less and helps regulate emotional state. In contrast, imposed or unpleasant musical accompaniment more often leads to mistakes, deterioration of concentration, and an increase in violations.

The most vulnerable group turned out to be inexperienced drivers. Studies show that music significantly increases their mental workload, impairs hazard detection, and increases the tendency to exceed speed limits. This effect is particularly pronounced when listening to energetic and "happy" compositions. Experienced drivers typically do not exhibit such an increase in risk.

The authors of the studies agree that there is no universal ban on music while driving. However, they recommend considering driving experience and road conditions. For most drivers, the least risky option remains familiar compositions, moderate volume, and calm genres. For beginners in difficult conditions - heavy traffic, bad weather, or unfamiliar routes - specialists advise lowering the volume or turning off music altogether to reduce the load on attention.