You're driving leisurely down the street when your favorite song comes on. Without thinking, you're cranking up the volume, belting the lyrics out at the top of your lungs, dancing along to the beat—and stepping on the gas pedal. You might not know it, but the more upbeat a song is, the more likely you are to speed.
But why does this happen, and is there a way you can control it so you can enjoy your beloved tunes while driving? Or does it mean you have to drive in complete silence in order to stay safe and in control?
Fast Tempos Tick Up Your Speedometer
When the beats-per-minute go up, so does your speedometer. Studies have found that not only are you more likely to drive faster, you're more likely to drive erratically, such as swerving through different lanes. Apparently, songs that exceed 120 beats per minute are the culprit, and drivers should stick to songs that fall under this tempo to stay safe on the road. In fact, experts say it's best to keep it at 80 beats per minute or lower.
Upbeat songs don't just make you speed, however. They also kick up your heart rate, which, in turn, spikes your adrenaline. Increased arousal can therefore influence your decision-making further, and make you more reckless.
Loud or Emotional Music Decreases Awareness
Researchers have also found that the volume you set your playlist to can affect how you drive, too. When turning to a higher volume, you're more likely to speed, while a lower volume decreases your tendency to step on the gas. Cranking up your music can reduce awareness as well, since it can dull or mute your surroundings, thus increasing your reaction time to obstacles or hazards on the road.
The genre of music you listen to has an added influence. Listening to rock can trigger erratic behavior and decisions, but listening to sentimental music may affect your attention in other ways.
Research generally suggests that calmer, lower-tempo songs are better for focus, but this can differ from person to person, depending on your personality, mood, or where your mind may drift to in specific moments.
Is Driving in Silence Better?
Does this mean that it's better to drive in complete silence, with no music at all? While studies do seem to claim that it's better for drivers to listen to lower-tempo songs at a lower volume, it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. Some might find the opposite works better for focus, while others might need to put on certain playlists that fit their mood to think more clearly. Increased arousal may even, on the contrary, make you more aware of your surroundings so that you're able to react faster.
Turning off your stereo completely doesn't keep you safe from other reckless drivers, either. Unless everyone on the road has their own personalized solution to keep them from excessively speeding or engaging in erratic behaviors, it's impossible to prevent accidents entirely. Perhaps the key isn't to stop listening to music altogether, but to curate a playlist that keeps you calm, safe, and in control.
