We’ve all been there, cruising down the road, blasting our favourite songs, and singing at the top of our lungs. It’s a vibe, right?
But have you ever stopped to think about how your favourite tunes might actually impact your driving? Spoiler alert: they do.
Here’s the deal, songs with faster tempos can do more than get your heart racing. They can make your speedometer climb without you even realising it!
Research from Allianz Insurance found that 32% of drivers are affected by music while driving, and nearly one in three admit that faster-paced songs make them hit the gas harder.
Tracks with over 120 beats per minute (BPM) are the biggest culprits, impacting speed, focus, and even reaction time. Surprisingly, 33% of drivers also said their overall concentration dropped when listening to music.
Many hit songs and unexpected favourites fall into the elevated tempo range that road safety experts say could negatively influence your driving, from classics like the Bee Gees’ Stayin’ Alive to Taylor Swift’s Love Story and even Charli XCX’s Brat.
They’re urging drivers to pay attention to how the music they love might be affecting their emotions and their focus on the road.
So, what’s the sweet spot for safer driving? Experts say songs with a BPM of 60–80 are ideal.
To help drivers jam out responsibly, Allianz has teamed up with Spotify to launch ‘Seat Belters,’ a cool new in-app feature that creates personalized playlists with safer, low-BPM songs.
Launched during National Road Safety Week (May 11–18), this initiative is all about making sure you can enjoy your favorite tracks while keeping safety front and center.
So, buckle up, press play, and hit the road with a playlist that’s got your back!
