When people think of distracted driving, the first things that usually come to mind are texting, eating and talking on the phone. Surprisingly to some, listening to music is also a form of distraction, and under certain circumstances, it can contribute to the causes of crashes.
While music itself is not illegal to play while driving, the way it affects attention and decision-making can make it an actionable distraction in a personal injury case.
Music is a preventable distraction
Listening to music can affect a driver in different ways. If the volume is too high, it may drown out important sounds like sirens, horns and the cues of one’s own vehicle. A driver who cannot hear an approaching emergency vehicle may fail to yield, creating a dangerous situation. Similarly, music that requires frequent adjustments, such as skipping songs or switching playlists, can pull a driver’s eyes and hands away from the road, much like texting does.
The type of music involved in a crash scenario may also be significant. Studies have shown that fast-paced or aggressive songs may cause drivers to speed or make riskier maneuvers without realizing it. On the other hand, very emotional music may distract a driver’s focus from their surroundings. Even singing along or becoming absorbed in lyrics can take mental attention away from monitoring traffic and road conditions.
From a legal standpoint, listening to music may be considered part of a distracted driving claim if it can be shown that it contributed to the crash at issue. For example, if a driver ran a red light because they were adjusting their stereo or failed to hear another vehicle because their music was blasting, this behavior could be evidence of negligence.
While music is a normal part of driving for many people, it becomes problematic when it interferes with the duty to drive safely. As such, drivers should be mindful of how they use music on the road. Keeping the volume at a reasonable level, avoiding constant adjustments and staying focused on traffic can help prevent accidents. When music becomes more important than attention to the road, it can cross the line from harmless habit to potential negligence.
