Is it more dangerous to drive while listening to music?

Between increased reaction times and encouragement to drive faster, music is not always the driver’s best friend.

According to a recent survey conducted by DEKRA Automotive in France on LinkedIn, 59% of respondents admit that listening to music while driving influences their behavior behind the wheel and 53% believe it decreases their vigilance.

Music does not just evoke emotions; it can also contribute to a failure in the duty of caution, for example due to distraction. Music listened to inside a car, for instance, extends reaction times in the event of sudden braking circumstances.

Another proven fact is that drivers can be carried away by fast rhythms, emotionally absorbed by the music, and tend to press harder on the accelerator pedal, thus driving faster. “According to our survey, 73% of respondents say they listen to pop/rock music compared to 12% to electro, 7% to classical, and 7% to disco. The possibility of being carried away by rapid tempos is very real,” emphasizes Karine Bonnet, Managing Director of DEKRA Automotive SAS. “Music generally improves mood, but it can also reduce vigilance while driving. At high volume levels, it can divert attention from road events, especially if the songs are associated with emotions and personal memories. Moreover, 14% of respondents recognize that listening to music impacts their safety,” adds Karine Bonnet.

Experts therefore recommend not letting your favorite songs excessively influence your driving. It is essential to choose a reasonable volume and to lower it in more demanding driving situations. Furthermore, some modern vehicles automatically switch the audio system to silent mode when reversing.

Beyond these precautions, it is important to remember that excessively loud music in a car can also affect road safety in other ways. The volume should never be so high that external warning signals from other road users, emergency sirens, or police can no longer be heard. Listening to music while driving is possible provided certain rules are followed; indeed, Article R412-6 of the French Highway Code states that every driver must constantly be in a state and position to conveniently and without delay perform all the maneuvers required of them. Let’s not forget that listening to music with headphones or earphones is also prohibited. Beyond risking a fine, it endangers both the safety of other users and the driver.

ALSO READ: Will.i.am transforms a Mercedes into a sound experience