Top Album Releases Linked To Rise In Fatal Crashes

An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Guardian stating that the release of a new album by Taylor Swift might have a more somber consequence - an increase in fatal car crashes. A new study, published in the journal Jama Network Open, examines the impact of distracted driving linked to album releases. The study, led by Vishal Patel of Harvard Medical School, focuses on the top 10 major albums released between 2017 and 2022, selected based on their highest number of Spotify streams on a single day.

The researchers discovered that streaming volume for the top 200 songs in the US was 43% higher on the release date of major albums compared to the days around the releases. The study analyzed data from a population-based registry of fatal US motor vehicle crashes, comparing the number of traffic fatalities on the release dates of these albums to the 10 days preceding and following those dates.

After accounting for factors such as the day of the week, federal holidays, and the time of year, the researchers found a 15.1% relative increase in US traffic fatalities on the release days of the 10 albums compared to similar days surrounding the releases. This translates to approximately 182 fatalities in the US attributable to the release days of the 10 albums.

Patel explained that accessing music, such as unlocking a phone, opening an app, and finding the album release to select a track, requires several seconds of looking at a screen, which could be a distraction. Additionally, unfamiliar music demands more attention, and research has shown that listening to new, high-energy music can measurably impair driving performance.

The researchers highlight that the rise in traffic fatalities was more pronounced among certain groups, including younger drivers, male drivers, people driving alone, and those using cars with built-in infotainment platforms. The study suggests that online music streaming through smartphones may have a significant contribution to distracted driving and traffic fatalities.