Safety is always the priority when on the road. It’s why seatbelts are mandatory, and airbags were invented. However, distractions are often unavoidable while behind the wheel, especially during long drives.
Driving for hours is exhausting, so it’s natural for some to put on their favorite songs to ease their minds. You can do the same, but just make sure you don’t blast your tunes.
While it might seem harmless, loud music can put your life in danger. In fact, your reaction time decreases by 20% if you listen to certain songs at certain volumes.
How Does Loud Music Make Driving Dangerous?
Loud music negatively affects driving because we tend to lose focus on the road.
Loud music can be a distraction.
One of the reasons is that people tend to shift their gaze a few degrees from sound source to sound source. This momentary distraction causes slower reaction times and increased brain activity. This was the result of research done at the Ear Institute of University College London.
As the decibels increase, the reaction time worsens, and listening to familiar music at high volumes yields the worst results.
Accident Analysis and Prevention took 85 beginner drivers and assigned them to driving routes while playing their favorite songs at higher volumes. The experiment resulted in different driving violations, such as speeding, tailgating, road rage, and weaving.
In short, loud music negatively affects driving because we tend to lose focus on the road. This rings especially true if familiar songs are playing on the radio. After all, who can resist singing to their favorite tunes?
The Most Dangerous Songs to Play While Driving
There isn’t a single genre of music that’s attributed to distracted and dangerous driving. Meanwhile, “familiar music” is too individualized.
So, for this list, we defer to the findings of researchers at the South China University of Technology. They came to the conclusion that songs with 120 beats per minute (BPM) can affect how you drive.
The worst offenders are American Idiot, Party in the USA, Mr. Brightside, Born to Run, and Don’t Let Me Down.
American Idiot – Green Day
American Idiot by Green Day is one of their most popular songs. While it was released over two decades ago, the song still has a strong grip on Americans due to its visual impact, rebellious spirit, and political commentary. Not to mention, it never fails to tug at everyone’s nostalgia.
However, the song’s beat is what makes it dangerous. According to the studies, its tempo made it the most dangerous thanks to the song’s 189 beats per minute, more than twice the others. It also helps that the lyrics are catchy, and the song is easy to sing along with.
Party in the USA – Miley Cyrus
Party in the USA by Miley Cyrusalso had most of the globe in a chokehold. It became the summer anthem back in 2009 when Cyrus was making waves during her earlier work as Hannah Montana.
While the song’s tempo is not as fast as American Idiot, the catchy melody and easy-to-memorize lyrics have everyone singing along each time it plays. These can lead to distracted driving, especially if you’re with friends.
Mr. Brightside – The Killers
There’s no argument that Mr. Brightside is The Killers’ most popular song. One that has stood the test of time, you’ll still stumble upon karaoke sessions where everyone sings along. It’s safe to say the song is a timeless classic, and there’s a perfectly good reason why.
It’s the nostalgic anthem for those who grew up listening to The Killers. It blends elements of rock, post-punk revival, and a touch of new wave to create a distinct sound that stood out during the early 2000s music scene.
In terms of construction, Mr. Brightside is not as intense as American Idiot because it has different tempos. However, it does suffer from the same issues as Party in the USA. The song is simply too catchy to not sing along to once you hear the iconic first few chords.
This could easily lead to distracted driving, especially when you hit the chorus in a car full of friends who share the same music taste.
Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen
Oh, Bruce Springsteen. The Boss has a ton of hit songs, but none of them hit the same way Born to Run does. The powerful, anthemic sound and soaring melodies capture a sense of freedom and aspiration that resonates with listeners, regardless of age.
The composition is also grand, especially the saxophone solo in the middle of the song. Springsteen’s talents and charisma boosted Born to Run to critical acclaim, leaving behind a cultural icon symbolizing the American Dream.
Unfortunately, the aforementioned soaring melodies could prove dangerous to drivers. You can’t help but tap a foot as you’re taken aback by Springsteen’s talents. And as drivers, we all know our feet should rest properly on the pedals to prevent mishaps.
Don’t Let Me Down – The Chainsmokers
It’s not as nostalgic as the songs listed above, but Don’t Let Me Down by The Chainsmokers still has the same effects as the rest. The song follows the classic pattern of starting off mellow before exploding at the chorus.
The crescendo can mess with drivers and knock them off their focus. Don’t Let Me Down is a party song and for a good reason. It gets exponentially louder as the song progresses, something proven to be dangerous on the road.
What Should I Listen to While Driving?
It’s perfectly fine to listen to your curated playlist. After all, they help you relax and be comfortable throughout the drive. However, it’s best to turn down the volume a bit to prevent any form of distraction.
If you want to lessen the chances of accidents even more, then instrumental music is your jam. It doesn’t have lyrics to sing along to and can even help you maintain better focus on the road. In addition, studies found that instrumentals are good for your heart because you feel less stressed out on the road.
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Lisa Conant grew up in Canada around a solid contingency of gear heads and DIY motor enthusiasts. She is an eclectic writer with a varied repertoire in the automotive industry, including research pieces with a focus on daily drivers and recreational vehicles. Lisa has written for Car Bibles and The Drive.
The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.
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Once again ya'all missed the bullseye. Anybody over the age 40 k ows that ☆Radar Love☆▪︎ is the number one driving song ever ! You turn the volume up to earth quake equivalent and pedal to the metal baby, it just doesn't get any better than that Golden Earring Rader Love.
P.S. make sure. It is the long version
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Once again ya'all missed the bullseye. Anybody over the age 40 k ows that ☆Radar Love☆▪︎ is the number one driving song ever ! You turn the volume up to earth quake equivalent and pedal to the metal baby, it just doesn't get any better than that Golden Earring Rader Love.
P.S. make sure. It is the long version