For many motorists, having a car stereo cranked up loud is the only way to make traffic jams or long journeys bearable. But research carried out by car insurance companies has revealed that listening to loud music whilst driving can have serious affects on reaction times.
For today’s drivers, it is becoming increasingly easy to become distracted from the road ahead. Onboard gadgets, such as SATNAV, mobile phones or iPod’s all increase the potential of your attention being drawn away from what’s happening outside your vehicle. The effects of this can be disastrous.
According to the UK’s Department for Transport, 12% of all accidents and 19% of fatal accidents are caused by driver unawareness.
Results from experiments carried out at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, showed that reaction times for people carrying out mental and physical tasks decreased significantly when subjected to high levels of noise.
So, it has been determined that loud volumes can lower reaction times, but it’s not only the volume of the music that can affect your driving. Previous research has shown that it’s the number of beats per minute in a piece of music that affects driver behaviour the most.
An increased tempo increases the likely-hood of an accident, with results showing that drivers listening to up-tempo music cause double the amount of accidents than those listening to slower music.
So, to remain in your car insurance companies good books and to increase the chances of being offered cheap car insurance, it could pay to follow the advice of the RAC Foundation. They recommend you listen to the following tracks to stay safe:
Gary Jules - "Mad World"
Lemar - "Another Day"
Sugababes - "Too lost in you"
Blue - "Breathe Easy"
Norah Jones - "Come away with me"
Related Articles
Car Insurance - Driving on Holiday
By: David Collins | 16/05/2008 | Insurance
Every year, thousands of us take to the roads and drive abroad for our holidays.
Whether it’s a fly-drive holiday in the US or a ferry journey over to France or Holland, many of us choose to escape to and drive on foreign soil.
Indeed, familiarity with our own vehicles has seen many tourists prefer to take their own car abroad on holiday.
However, many who run into difficulties whilst abroad find themselves stranded when it comes to car insurance and cover while abroad.
Car Insurance - Road Rage Britain
By: David Collins | 09/07/2008 | Insurance
Despite the spiralling cost of fuel, car ownership has risen since 1988, and running costs for cars in general have shown to be cheaper than 20 years ago, according to a recent survey.
Understanding Car Insurance
By: Nick C | 18/12/2007 | Insurance
With thousands of insurance companies to choose from, each using unfamiliar terminology, finding car insurance can be quite a daunting task for a new driver.
This article aims to demystify the jargon used by insurance companies
Car Insurance - Classic Car Restoration
By: David Collins | 16/06/2008 | Insurance
Everybody has a favourite automobile. Whether it’s something you’ve seen in the movies, a vehicle you remember from your past or a newer, sportier model you see in showrooms across the country.
For those who have the time and money to invest in their passion, restoring an old classic car to its former glory can be a very rewarding experience.
Car Insurance - Courses for Young Drivers
By: David Collins | 12/05/2008 | Insurance
Passing your driving test is a great feeling, with drivers young (and in some cases old) breathing a sigh of relief after months of hard work, concentration and studying.
However, when it comes to car insurance it becomes a whole different ball game. As young drivers are considered ‘at risk’ shortly after passing their driving tests, they face hefty car insurance costs on their first vehicle.
Car Insurance- are You Covered Abroad?
By: Karl Bantleman | 02/07/2008 | Insurance
Customers may think that a fully comprehensive policy will cover them whilst driving abroad. However, this may not be the case and all customers are urged to check their policies.
Finding the Best Car Insurance
By: SimonDuffy | 06/03/2008 | Insurance
Finding the best car insurance today seems to be more complicated than ever before...
Car Insurance - Young Drivers Insurance Guide
By: David Collins | 13/05/2008 | Insurance
As we all know, the first few years after you pass your driving test can be the hardest on your wallet.
Under 25’s often find themselves with the highest insurance quotes, which can be rather frustrating for those who wish to use their vehicle to get to and from work.
However, there are a few steps they can take in order to save themselves some money on their policy, which could very well help ease the financial burden experienced at this early age.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Insurance Articles
Your Checklist to Buying Life Insurance
By: Musa Aykac | 20/08/2008
Life insurance is a critical consideration everyone should take in there life, simply because of the fact that we are all going to end up dying one day.
5 Important Factors to Consider When Choosing Taxi Minibus Insurance
By: James Todman | 20/08/2008
More taxi operators today are choosing to drive an MPV or Minibus because of its extra space and carrying capacity. Minibuses can carry more than four passengers and there is no need to turn away those with too much luggage. But there are extra costs involved with driving a larger vehicle, one of these being minibus insurance.
Life Insurance Policy Allows Enjoying Life Without Worrying About Anything
By: Addi | 20/08/2008
As the awareness regarding to the aspect of life insurance in India has increased, so has the number of people's who are now opting to subscribe to the policy.
How to Get Affordable Car Insurance in New Jersey
By: Stuart Brown | 20/08/2008
Are you looking to get affordable car insurance in New Jersey? Sometimes it can seem like an uphill struggle! Fortunately, in this article I take the weight off your shoulders by discussing your car insurance options if you live in New Jersey.
Enterprise Risk Management: a National Risk Management & Insurance Strategy for Sierra Leone
By: Kortor Kamara | 20/08/2008
The project objective is to develop a standard of risk management review wherein all governmental contracts, agreements with contractors and vendors must contain an insurance provision requiring the proof of insurance coverage relating to the services being provided under the agreement. All contracts must have an indemnification agreement, wherein the contractor agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the government in the event of loss.
Becoming Your Own Banker: the Infinite Banking Concept
By: Jake Thompson | 19/08/2008
Becoming Your Own Banker, also known as the infinite banking concept, is the most powerful way to create massive wealth at no risk. By understanding how to make money work for you, you will see how to turn debts, interest, taxes, and even opportunity cost into wealth.
Little Known Veterans Pension Program Can Earn You Up to $22,000 Tax Free!!
By: Lance D. Fisher | 19/08/2008
If you are a veteran, you may qualify for a tax free pension of up to $22,000!! This is a pension program that has been in existence since 1952 and available to many seniors. The problem is that they don’t know they qualify. So the $$ just sits there. It’s like winning the lottery and never knowing it.
Car Insurance Importance & Its Necessity
By: Shah Ansari | 19/08/2008
car Insurance is one of the most sought after insurance plans that meets the needs of the masses in case of accidents. Some who avoid having car insurance think that it is of no use until it meets an accident or any untoward incident. They strive for instant material gain, they some how lose the common sense that no one can guarantee the life as risk free.
More from Nick C
Offset Mortgages Explained
By: Nick C | 28/02/2008 | Finance
An offset mortgage allows a homeowner to reduce the interest on their mortgage by offsetting credit that is held in savings or current accounts against the total mortgage debt.
Home Insurance - What's Covered?
By: Nick C | 27/02/2008 | Insurance
Most people have some kind of home insurance. Seeing as it's probably the most valuable asset most people will ever own, it's sensible to have some form of protection against it, just in case the worst happens.
Car Insurance - What Type of Cover to Choose?
By: Nick C | 28/01/2008 | Insurance
Insurers will normally give you three types of cover to choose from. Choosing the right one is important, so consider the options they give you carefully.
Checking your Credit Score – What's your Rating?
By: Nick C | 15/01/2008 | Loans
The global credit crunch, along with the collapse of Northern Rock has resulted in banks getting tougher with the amount of money they are willing to lend. Banks are getting a tad more stringent on who they are giving loans to. It's therefore important to check that your credit rating has no inaccuracies that could happen your chances of getting that all important loan
Free yourself From Credit Card Debt
By: Nick C | 10/01/2008 | Credit
If struggling with debt then the sooner you act to rectify things the better. This article looks at ways of improving your financial situation.
A Guide to Life Insurance
By: Nick C | 03/01/2008 | Insurance
Having adequate life insurance provides us with the peace of mind in knowing that our family will have that financial support in the event of our death. This article explains the different types of cover available.
Travel Insurance Explained
By: Nick C | 03/01/2008 | Insurance
Failing to be sufficiently covered by travel insurance could potentially cost you thousands of pounds in medical expenses and untold stress. This article looks at the different types of travel insurance available
The Importance of Travel Insurance
By: Nick C | 02/01/2008 | Travel
Travelling without appropriate travel insurance can be financially disastrous. This article looks into the reasons as to why you shouldn’t go on holiday without it.
Finance 
