People don’t often think of music as a form of distracted driving. But in some ways, that’s exactly what it is. People turn music on because they’re bored during a daily commute or a long drive, and they’re actively looking for a distraction.
Unfortunately, this distraction can sometimes lead to car accidents. For instance, say that someone is in the car with friends, and everyone is singing along to a song they like. That driver is distracted by the music and the impromptu karaoke session, which means they’re not paying as much attention to the road as they would otherwise.
Other potential complications
That’s not the only issue music can create. For example, consider someone who enjoys fast and aggressive music, like punk rock or heavy metal. Even many upbeat pop songs can be problematic. They can cause people to subconsciously increase their speed, which may lead to reckless driving or speeding so much that they can’t properly react when traffic conditions suddenly change.
Speaking of reaction times, music can make it harder for a driver to respond to potential hazards because listening to a song takes up some of the brain’s processing power. Instead of being 100% focused on driving and monitoring the road, part of their attention is devoted to the music.
This issue becomes even more problematic when the music is loud. You’ve likely heard people say they need to turn the music down when they’re trying to find an address. Music doesn’t actually make it harder to see the address numbers—but it makes it harder for the brain to process visual information because it’s already focused on auditory input.
Seeking compensation
In these ways, music can contribute to car accidents. If you’ve been injured by a distracted driver, you may be able to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages and more.
