Everyone knows that defensive driving is the most important way to operate a vehicle. Some people pride themselves on their effective road communication prowess, in-depth knowledge of road signs, and self-control. However, most people don’t know how music can turn their defensive driving skills into reckless driving misdemeanors.
Listening to loud music while driving directly affects your ability to drive a car. You may want to learn how to set up your car’s Bluetooth. Whether you’re jamming to your favorite tunes or scrolling through road trip playlists, listening to music decreases your ability to focus.
Driving without music sounds nightmarish. Here’s how loud music can affect your driving and how you can avoid it.
Picking the Right Song
Picking the perfect song is one of the most important parts of driving. When a song you dislike (or just don’t love) starts playing over the speakers, your natural reaction is to play the next song. You might even get into the habit of changing the song until you find your favorite anthem.
Changing songs while driving is distracted driving. When you’re flipping through your playlist to find the perfect tune, you’re not focusing on the road. That means, if you want to avoid distracted driving, ease up on jumping to the “next” button on your radio or phone. Try listening to the song that’s playing – you might find a hidden music gem.
Loudness of the Music
Loud music has a harsh impact on your concentration. You might be focusing more on landing the perfect air guitar solo instead of keeping both hands on the wheel. Alternatively, singing along will make you more engaged on the music instead of road. Even when you’re not jamming out to music, you’re still breaking your focus with the volume.
Loud music interrupts proper neuron signaling while multitasking. Your brain requires effort to make decisions and to have reaction. Listening to loud music while driving increasing the mental effort. That’s why multitasking is always challenging. Driving while listening to loud music is multitasking but with more stakes involved. You’re not as effective at defensive driving.
The Music Tempo and Heart Rate
Fast tempo music will cause you to drive aggressively. Staying alert and awake behind the wheel is important – especially when you’re traveling long distance. Often, people will listen to fast tempo music to help them stay focused.
Listening to fast tempo music will help you stay alert and more! The pacing to the music you’re listening to will affect your heart rate. This has a higher impact on you when you’re listening to your music loudly. Although this is great to stay alert, drivers are reported to drive faster and more reckless on the road with an increased heart rate.
Favorite Music and Most Hated Music
This goes without saying, but drivers are distracted when they’re listening to music they do not like. However, something people don’t realize is when people are listening to their favorite music, they are also distracted. The reason being is because the music is resonating with them in some capacity.
Listening to something you don’t like while driving will distract you – even prompt you to pick up the phone to change the song. Listening to your favorite song will also distract you by keeping your focus off the road and in the music.
In Conclusion
If you want to stay a defensive driver, listening to music loudly isn’t the way to do it. Doing so will distract you. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t listen to music while behind the wheel. Listening to a song that’s calm or of an appropriate volume will be enough to keep your focused while still enjoying your commute.
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