Driving Music
Most drivers will listen to some kind of music whilst they are driving. But, does the type of music that you listen to and the volume make a difference to your driving?
In 2002, Israeli researchers found that listening to fast music in the car could increase the driver's speed, and so therefore would increase the risk of accidents. Their study showed that those drivers who listen to fast music have twice as many accidents compared to those listening to slower music. They also found that they were twice as likely to go through a red light as those who were not listening to music at all. Drivers are advised to choose slower pieces of music, or to turn down the volume so that there is less chance of them being distracted. They should also avoid 'foot-tapping' music, as you need to keep your feet on the relevant pedals at all times.
Other research showed that the music similar to the speed of your heart rate is best for relieving tension, so it follows that it is best for stress free driving too. However, some light music can stop you from falling asleep on the road, so it's all about striking the right balance.
Hands-off equipment
A US survey revealed that 91.4% of drivers are fiddling with music or audio controls when they drive, and 78% of crashed and 65% of near crashed had one form of distraction as a factor. This therefore means that you should try and avoid adjusting equipment until you are safely parked up. It could be a good idea to invest in auto-changing CDS or get your MP3 playlist loaded up to last for your journey, as they are much safer.
Eyes on the road
Other distractions to watch out for are the use of mobile phones, eating and smoking, putting on makeup, brushing hair or distracting passengers.
Whichever music you listen to is a matter for personal taste. If you hate jazz, then it will irritate you to have it on; if you love rock 'n' roll then that's probably the best option for you. Try to choose songs that are not so harsh on the ear, and turn the volume down so that you can hear yourself think and hear other road users.