Loud music and young drivers go together like peanut butter and jelly, but could this combination actually cause more car accidents?
That’s more than just a theoretical question, because studies have found that teenage drivers are much more likely to engage in distracted driving habits such as talking on a mobile device, chatting with a passenger, eating, texting while driving, and even watching videos on a built-in screen.
All those activities distract drivers by either taking their eyes off the road, taking their hands off the wheel, or forcing their brains to shuttle between tasks, which lowers concentration levels.
But what if loud music was just as distracting, because of its effects on hearing and concentration?
Why Loud Music Could Cause a Car Accident?
Loud music could keep drivers from hearing audio cues around them such as sirens and horns as well as visual signs.
But loud music doesn’t just affect a person’s hearing, it also affects concentration, because listening to a song forces your brain to perform two activities simultaneously.
And studies have found that the brain does not multitask, but in fact, when presented with two activities, it shuttles rapidly between the two, decreasing focus and concentration on each task.
Loud music can also increase the number of aggressive driving behaviors amongst teen drivers.
A study found that after listening to loud music on their playlists, teens in the survey exhibited driving behaviors that included aggressive driving, unsafe lane changes, and speeding.
In fact, all 85 teens in the study were responsible for a minimum of three driver safety mistakes, and 17 of them were so distracted by the music that their driving instructor (who was part of the study) was forced to take over steering or braking to avoid a car accident.
Young drivers are inexperienced, and when they are distracted, the likelihood of them causing a car accident significantly increases.
However, another study found that loud music had far less of an effect on experienced drivers, which may indicate that drivers who are less experienced and not as confident in handling unexpected occurrences on the road are also more likely to be distracted by factors such as loud music or talking on a mobile phone.
Recovering From a Car Accident
Loud music can easily be classified as a type of driver distraction, and distracted drivers are among the most dangerous on the road. If you have suffered injuries in a car accident resulting from distracted driving, you need the experience of a personal injury lawyer such as the team at Fetterman & Associates, PA. We have a track record of winning settlements, and we are not afraid of going to court to obtain justice on your behalf. Please call us today for a free consultation at 561-845-2510.
Additional Reading
How Can I Avoid a Distracted Driving Accident?
Why Do So Many Palm Beach Car Accidents Happen At Red Lights?