While most people know that music can distract drivers, a recent study from Harvard Medical School uncovered an unfortunate trend. On the days the biggest albums of the year release, music streaming numbers predictably go up, and unfortunately so do traffic fatalities.
Distracted driving remains a prevalent issue, and at Nicolet Law we see firsthand how devastating the consequences of it can be. If you or a loved one has been in an accident or you have lost someone to a fatal crash caused by a distracted driver, our firm is here to support you. Call 1-855-NICOLET or use our contact form to set up a free consultation. You only pay if we win compensation for you.
The Key Takeaways From The Harvard Study
Researchers analyzed music streaming numbers alongside national crash data. Here’s what they found:
- Major album drops typically boosted streaming numbers by approximately 40%.
- On those release days, traffic fatalities increased by approximately 15%.
- The study gathered streaming data from artists such as Taylor Swift, Drake, Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, and Harry Styles.
Data showed that the 15% increase most commonly affected drivers who were:
- Sober
- Younger than 40
- Male
- Alone in the car
- Driving in clear conditions
- Driving an older model car
Sources The Study Used
Music streaming: Streaming numbers came exclusively from Spotify. Researchers examined streaming numbers between 2017 and 2022 to determine the top 10 albums in that time period. The music streamer is significantly more public-facing with its data.
Traffic fatalities: The Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) is a government database that catalogs information on fatal crashes on U.S. public roads from 1975 onward.
What Music Is The Most Distracting?
Any music can be a distraction while driving. While the Harvard study comments on clear weather conditions making drivers feel safe and more inclined to listen to “high-energy, positive-emotion, danceable, and fast-tempo music” it doesn’t say much beyond that.
A separate study was able to shed more light:
- The least distracting music tends to be slower-paced, what might be called “easy listening” music.
- The most distracting music tends to be higher energy and more complex. While this music does tend to make drivers more alert, it also pulls focus and makes risky driving behavior more likely.
Volume can also play a role. Beyond pulling a driver’s focus, loud music can also drown out important sound cues from the surrounding environment.
What Setup Is The Most Distracting?
Any setup that requires interaction comes with distraction.
Touchscreens in cars
Touchscreens in modern cars provide a sleek aesthetic but come at the expense of functionality. Without the simple sensory feedback of feeling a dial or button, drivers are forced to take their eyes off the road. While many drivers may have intuitively noticed the increased risk of distraction, an international study put it in startling terms.
The international study found that drivers who had to use touchscreen “infotainment systems” had a reaction time that was worse than that of a drunk driver five times over.
While public pushback has led some automakers to reverse course, there are still plenty of cars on the road with touchscreens.
Being alone in the car
The Harvard study found that a majority of the fatalities occurred when the driver was by themselves. Passengers are commonly cited as potential distractions for drivers, especially for young drivers with less road experience.
So why does it not seem to be the case here?
The study theorized that having an extra body in the car provides an additional set of hands to interact with a smartphone or in-car entertainment system.
Where The Study Falls Short
While researchers took a closer look at the trend linking album release dates to traffic fatalities, it is ultimately a case of correlation, not causation. Here’s why.
All fatalities were counted
FARS provides details on traffic fatalities. Whether the drivers involved were streaming music is not one of them.
Ethical limits of studying distracted driving
It is difficult to fully study distracted driving without putting people at risk, even in a controlled environment.
Only Spotify was involved in the analysis
Spotify is the most popular music streaming platform, but it is not the only one. Competitors like Apple Music, however, are more guarded about public streaming numbers.
Why This Study Matters In the U.S.
Early on in the research paper, it was noted that among developed nations, the United States stands out for its rising traffic fatality rate despite car safety improving year after year.
There has been much public discussion about distracted driving and phone addiction, and how a quick glance at your smartphone can be dangerous. Efforts have been made to curb distracted driving, including “hands off laws” that punish drivers, as well as focus modes on phones themselves.
The more we know about distracted driving, the better equipped we all are to address it.
In Need Of A Car Accident Attorney?
If you have been in a car accident or recently lost a loved one in a car accident, support is available. At Nicolet Law, we have qualified personal injury attorneys who have experience handling both car accident cases and wrongful death cases caused by car accidents. Our firm proudly serves Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and North Dakota.
You can contact our firm by calling 1-855-NICOLET or by filling out our online form. We offer free consultations, and operate on a contingency fee basis. That means you have a no-strings-attached opportunity to talk to one of our experienced, compassionate attorneys, giving you insight on what your next steps might look like. If Nicolet Law represents your case you owe no upfront fees, we only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you.