Hit the Gas: Study says pop music might make you safer driver

Hitting the road and cranking up your favorite tunes might actually be a recipe for safer driving, according to a new study. Researchers at Autotrader decided to test the theory that jamming out to popular music could improve driver focus.  

The study involved putting drivers behind the wheel and monitoring their hazard awareness while they listened to music by 20 different popular artists. A hazard perception test simulated real-life situations where drivers need to react quickly to potential dangers on the road. The results were surprising!

Drake leads the chart 

Fans of chart-topping rapper Drake seemed to benefit the most. Drivers listening to Drake's music scored the highest on the hazard perception test, averaging a score of 59.5 out of 75. Ariana Grande and Eminem fans weren't far behind, tying for second place with an average score of 58.5 each. 

Billie Eilish's music also seemed to keep drivers on their toes, with fans averaging 57 points on the test. Popular groups like BTS and The Weeknd fell into the middle of the pack, with drivers listening to their music averaging 56.5 points. 

Beyoncé's music helped drivers stay focused as well, with an average score of 55.5. This placed them just slightly ahead of fans of The Foo Fighters, whose music yielded an average score of 55 points. 

Harry Styles' upbeat tunes seemed to keep drivers alert with an average score of 54.5, followed closely by The 1975 with 54 points. 

However, the study also identified some potential roadblocks to safe driving. Interestingly, music by two very different artists seemed to make drivers less aware of hazards. Fans of Megan Thee Stallion scored an average of 37.5, while those listening to classical music by 'Johann Sebastian Bach' scored 42.5. It's important to note that the passing score for the hazard perception test was 44 points.

Avoid distractions

While the study doesn't definitively prove that certain music makes you a better driver, it suggests that some genres or artists might help you stay more focused behind the wheel. But remember, safety always comes first! Keep the volume down to avoid distractions, and focus on the road, no matter what music is playing.