How Music and Audio Distractions Contribute To Car Accidents
While driving a car, something as seemingly harmless as using the radio dial or searching for your favorite song on your in-car music system, can make you take your eyes off the road. This is a form of distracted driving and a leading cause of devastating car accidents in Alabama.
A number of research studies over the years have suggested that listening to audio without looking at the screen can also have a negative impact on driving performance. A reputable car accident attorney in Alabama can help you understand your legal rights if you were injured in a distracted driving accident.
Loud Music Can Cause Car Accidents in Alabama
Loud music prevents drivers from hearing audio cues on the road, such as horns and sirens. Music and audio distractions affect a person’s hearing and concentration. Your brain is forced to perform two activities at the same time when you are listening to a song.
Studies have established that the brain doesn’t multitask. Instead, it shuttles rapidly back and forth between the two tasks. This decreases your mind’s focus and concentration on individual tasks.
Loud music is also known to increase rage driving among teens. Teens in a study were found to exhibit reckless driving behavior after listening to loud music on their music. This included speeding, unsafe lane changes, and aggressive driving.
The study involved 85 teens and all of them were responsible for at least three driver safety mistakes. 17 teens were so distracted by loud music that their instructor had to take over braking or steering to avoid an accident. Young drivers don’t have the muscle memory of experienced drivers. When they are distracted, there is a greater likelihood of getting into a crash.
Another study found that loud music did not have a significant impact on experienced drivers. This indicates that inexperienced drivers are more likely to be distracted by loud music or texting and may not be able to navigate sudden occurrences with confidence.
Playing Music While Driving Can be a Traffic Infraction
There is no universal law that makes loud music illegal. However, there are individual cities and counties that have classified loud music while driving as distracted driving. This is categorized as a traffic infraction and illegal.
While you may not get pulled over for blasting your radio, you may get pulled over for running a red light while listening to music. The office will write you two tickets in this instance – for the red light and listening to loud music. It’s best to always have the stereo down a few notches to completely avoid the risk.
Every county has its own definition of music that is too loud for driving. You may receive a ticket if the music can be heard 50 feet away in certain cities. In others, you may get a ticket if the music can be heard 75 feet away. These laws were put in place for protecting drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and other roadway users from serious crashes leading to critical injuries.
Impact of Loud Music on Driving Performance
There have been several studies to observe the effects of loud music on driving. As per a Canadian research study, loud music and audio distractions delayed reaction times. People that listened to loud music were 20% slower in completing physical and mental tasks as compared to people that were listening to music at average volumes.
The tempo of the music has a negative effect on the driver as well. A study performed at Ben-Gurion University found that listening to music with a tempo of 120 beats or more per minute could increase the likelihood of driving recklessly.
These drivers were found to be twice as likely to run red lights as compared to drivers that heard slower tempo songs. High-paced songs were found to contribute to twice as many accidents. The heart rates of drivers sped up when they listened to fast and loud music. Drivers started driving faster without realizing it.
Teen drivers are at a higher risk of getting into accidents when listening to loud music. A study found that teenagers that listened to loud music while driving made more errors, such as weaving and speeding. Loud music prevents a driver from detecting emergency sirens from ambulances and trucks, which may contribute to accidents.
Typically, distracted driving accidents take place in high-speed situations. Drivers listening to loud music have slower reaction times, which can prove to be dangerous when speeding. Distracted driving because of auditory distractions can lead to devastating consequences. You should consult with a car accident attorney to file a claim if your accident was the result of a distracted driver.
Our Seasoned Car Accident Lawyers are Ready to Fight for You
If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident caused by distracted driving, the experienced auto accident attorneys at the Smith Law Firm can help you. We will fight hard to obtain evidence, negotiate with the insurers based on a winning legal strategy, and do what it takes to maximize financial compensation for you.
To schedule your free and confidential consultation with us, call us at 334-377-1674 or contact us online.
