Teen Driver Music
Preferences Increase Errors and Distractibility
Teens
listening to their preferred music while driving commit a greater number of
errors and miscalculations, according to a new study from Ben-Gurion University
of the Negev researchers that will be published in the October issue of Accident
Analysis and Prevention.
Male
novice drivers in particular make more frequent and serious mistakes listening
to their preferred music than their less aggressive, female counterparts, the
researchers noted.
The
study was conducted by BGU Director of Music Science Research Warren Brodsky
and researcher Zack Slor to assess distraction by measuring driver deficiencies
(miscalculation, inaccuracy, aggressiveness, and violations) as well as
decreased vehicle performance.
When
the teen drivers listened to their preferred music, virtually all (98 percent)
demonstrated an average of three deficient driving behaviors in at least one of
the trips. Nearly a third of those (32 percent) required a a sudden verbal
warning or command for action, and 20 percent needed an assisted steering or
braking maneuver to prevent an imminent accident. These errors included
speeding, tailgating, careless lane switching, passing vehicles and one-handed
driving.
Without
listening to any music, 92 percent made errors. However, when driving with an
alternative music background designed by Brodsky and Israeli music composer
Micha Kisner, deficient driving behaviors decreased by 20 percent.
"Most
drivers worldwide prefer to listen to music in a car and those between ages 16
to 30 choose driving to pop, rock, dance, hip-hop and rap," Brodsky
explains. "Young drivers also tend to play this highly energetic,
fast-paced music very loudly -- approximately 120 to 130 decibels."
"Drivers
in general are not aware that as they get drawn-in by a song, they move from an
extra-personal space involving driving tasks, to a more personal space of
active music listening."
Story Source:
The
above story is based on materials provided by American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further
information, please contact the source cited above.
Journal Reference:
1.
Warren Brodsky, Zack
Slor. Background music as a risk factor for distraction among
young-novice drivers. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 2013; 59:
382 DOI:10.1016/j.aap.2013.06.022
Need to cite this story in your essay, paper, or report? Use one
of the following formats:
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MLA
American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (2013,
August 23). Favorite music makes teens drive badly: Teen driver music preferences
increase errors and distractibility. ScienceDaily. Retrieved August 24,
2013, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130823091347.htm
