Top album releases linked to rise in fatal crashes as ‘distracted’ drivers access music

A Harvard study has found that there is a 15% increase in traffic fatalities on the dates when new albums are released, according to the story from wire material. This increase in fatal crashes is linked to the phenomenon of distracted driving. Dr. Vishal Patel, the lead author of the study at Harvard Medical School, suggests that the release of a new album can distract drivers, as accessing music involves several seconds of looking at the screen and unfamiliar music may demand more attention.

The research, published in the Jama Network Open, analyzed the release of 10 major albums between 2017 and 2022, such as Taylor Swift's "Midnights" and Harry Styles' "Harry's House." The study found that streaming volume for the top 200 songs in the US was 43% higher on the dates of major album releases compared to the surrounding days.

After accounting for factors like the day of the week, federal holidays, and time of year, the researchers identified a 15.1% relative increase in US traffic fatalities on the release days of these albums, equivalent to approximately 182 fatalities. The findings suggest that online music streaming through smartphones significantly contributes to distracted driving and traffic fatalities.

However, the study does not directly investigate whether smartphone use was involved in the traffic fatalities. The authors recommend that streaming platforms adapt their notifications to remind users to set up their music before driving, and drivers should ensure they finish using their phones before starting to drive. Many countries have already implemented hands-free laws, emphasizing the importance of picking the album, hitting play, and putting the phone down.