This week the RAC Foundation brought media attention to focus on music being played in cars.
They've highlighted new research by Canadian scientists, which showed that loud music can be a potential hazard to motorists, as it can cause significant reductions in reaction time on the roads. The study found that reaction times diminished by up to 20% when a person was subject to loud volumes – this is enough to cause a potentially fatal delay even for a motorist driving in good weather and at moderate speed.
In the study, people performed physical and mental tasks while listening to levels of noise varying from 53 decibels (about the level of an office environment) to 95 decibels (the equivalent of an oil rig). The results show that reaction times decreased significantly at higher noise levels for both physical and mental tasks. At the highest level, reaction times to tasks that involve decision making, decreased by 20%.
Previous research by the RAC Foundation also shows that as well as listening to music quietly, motorists should be careful to pick slower tempo music if they want to avoid an accident. The research found that drivers who were listening to music with a fast beat were twice as likely to go through a red light and have twice as many accidents.
The RAC Foundation has compiled a list of music to play while driving, albeit quietly. The following sounds will ensure you drive in a mellowed out and considerate manner:
- Gary Jules – "Mad World"
- Lemar – "Another Day"
- Sugababes – "Too lost in You"
- Blue – "Breathe Easy"
- Norah Jones – "Come away with me"
Tracks that will have you driving like a loon and taking off over humped back bridges include:
- Wagner "The ride of the Valkyries"
- Prodigy – "Firestarter"
- Basement Jaxx – "Red Alert"
- Faithless – "Insomnia"
- Verdi – "Dies Irae (Requiem)"
Edmund King, Executive Director of the RAC Foundation said: "THE FINDINGS OF THE CANADIAN STUDY ARE BAD NEWS FOR DECIBEL LOVING DRIVERS, AS THEY PROVE THAT NOT ONLY IS LOUD MUSIC A NUISANCE TO OTHERS, IT COULD ALSO BE THE CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS ON THE ROADS".
Conrad King, Consultant Psychologist to the RAC Foundation, said "It is important that drivers choose their music carefully when driving, as uptempo music has been shown to cause drivers to have double the amount of accidents as those listening to slower music. In general, if music is above 60 beats per minute, listeners experience a faster heart rate and increased blood pressure. It doesn’t matter if you listen to opera, classical or the latest rave music. It’s the speed of the beat that counts."
An independent survey carried out by Ted walking along the road yesterday concluded that the loudest music comes from the smallest cars.
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