If you enjoy listening to music when you drive, you are in good company. After all, according to Edison Research, 75% of drivers say they turn on the radio when they hit the road. While there probably is nothing inherently wrong with listening to music, you must be careful with how you do so.
Certain listening behaviors might increase your chances of having a potentially catastrophic motor vehicle accident. That is, if your music is too distracting, you might suffer a severe injury in a distraction-associated crash.
The volume of your music
It is not uncommon for drivers to begin listening to music at a normal volume only to continue to turn up the volume as they drive. This is because the ear tends to acclimate to sounds. Unfortunately, though, if your music is too loud, you might not be paying sufficient attention to the task of driving. You also might not be able to hear sirens, other vehicles or even your car’s engine.
The tempo of your music
There is some evidence to suggest that uptempo music can cause a person to drive recklessly. That is, if your music has a tempo of more than 120 beats per minute, you might tend to speed, tailgate or engage in other risky driving behaviors. These behaviors can cause you to lose control of your vehicle and have a motor vehicle accident.
Even though you can be responsible with your in-car musical selections, you cannot control other drivers. Ultimately, if someone’s music causes or contributes to a car accident that injures you, you might have grounds to seek substantial financial compensation.