An exploratory survey of in-vehicle music listening

Listening to music whilst driving is a common activity, with a number of potentially positive and negative influences on driving performance and safety: previous research suggests that music is a source of distraction and can influence driver mood, with subsequent effects on driving behaviour. However, little systematic evidence exists about the extent or type of in-vehicle listening practices in real-world contexts, and their effect on driving performance. A survey was carried out to discover the extent to which people listen to music while driving, what they are listening to and why, and whether there is any association with driving safety, measured by possession of four or more years' no-claims on motor insurance. The survey of 1780 British drivers reveals that approximately two-thirds listen to recorded music and music radio while driving, with music reported to be less distracting than conversation. The most commonly cited reasons for listening to music while driving were its benefits for relaxation and concentration. The survey indicates associations between possession of `no claims' on motor insurance and a preference for silence. However, the genre of music playing also appears to influence driving performance: there is an association between possession of no-claims, genre of music, and a difference in the frequency with which certain genres were playing at the time of the last accident, relative to the expected norm for that genre. These findings support evidence for music as a source of in-vehicle distraction, which can have both positive and negative effects on driving performance.