Listening
to loud music while driving can seriously hamper reaction times
and cause accidents, new research suggests.
A Canadian study found people took up to 20% longer to perform
physical and mental tasks to loud music.
If motorists were delayed that long at
the wheel they could suffer a fatal crash, warned the RAC
Foundation, a British motoring organization.
Edmund King, the RAC Foundation's executive director, said the
study showed that "not only is loud music a nuisance
to others, it could also be the cause of accidents".
Earlier research by the RAC Foundation found drivers were twice
as likely to skip a red light while listening to music.
In the Canadian study volunteers carried out tasks while listening
to levels of noise varying from 53 decibels
(equivalent to an office environment) to 95 decibels (equivalent
to an oil rig).
Researchers found reactions to be significantly decreased at
higher noise levels for both physical and mental work.
At 95 decibels reaction times to tasks that involve decision
making plummeted by 20%.
Edmund King said: "The findings of the Canadian study are
bad news for decibel-loving drivers, as they prove that not only
is loud music a nuisance to others, it could also be the cause
of accidents on the roads."
Drivers are at even greater risk if they listen to music with
a pounding beat rather than more
relaxed tunes, according to experts.
Conrad King, consultant psychologist to the foundation, said:
"It is important that drivers choose their music carefully
when driving, as up-tempo music has been shown to cause drivers
to have double the amount of accidents as those listening to slower
music.
"In general, if music is above 60 beats per minute, listeners
experience a faster heart rate and increased blood pressure.
"It doesn't matter if you listen to opera, classical or
the latest rave music. It's the speed
of the beat that counts."
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-04-26 01:00