How the Wrong Music Can Impair Your Driving
How the Wrong Music Can Impair Your Driving
June 19, 2015
Press Releases, Social Sciences & Humanities
“The car is the only place in the world you can die just because you’re listening to the wrong kind of music,” says Prof. Warren Brodsky, director of music psychology in the Department of the Arts at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel. He has just published the first comprehensive textbook on music and its impact on driving, Driving with Music: Cognitive-Behavioral Implications (Ashgate Publishing Company).
“Both novice and experienced drivers must be more aware of how music influences their driving behavior and vehicle control,” Brodsky explains in the book.While there has been a lot of research focused on distracted driving using cellphones, texting, talking and driving under the influence, this new publication addresses the contributing factors of music to traffic violations and human error.
Prof. Warren Brodsky
Brodsky maintains that choice of music can have a major influence on driving, and, in some circumstances, lead to serious and even fatal outcomes. In fact, the National Higway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that driver inattention, including music distraction, is a contributing factor in 25 to 30 percent of the of the 1.2 million crashes per year in the United States. Similar NHTSA statistics from 2009 indicate that more than 5,400 peopele were killed, and 515,000 injured in motor vehicle crashes attributed to distracted driving.
Driving With Music offers the first full-length study of the topic, with critical analysis and fresh isights on the most current research. Among some of the key topics addressed are:
– Ill effects of in-car music listening
– Research on the safest and most dangerous driving songs
– Types of in-car music listeners. Sensoral, perceptual or imaginal?
– “Car-aoke” – a burgeoning phenomenon
“The research is irrefutable that listening to music in the car affects the way you drive,” Brodsky explains. “But whether it’s Beethoven, Basie or Bieber is irrelevant. Ideally drivers should choose tunes that do not trigger distracting thoughts, memories, emotions, or hand drumming along to the beat while driving.”
Prof. Brodsky was born in Philadelphia, trained as an orchestra percussionist, elementary school music teacher, and music psychotherapist. Following a 10-year clinical practice, Brodsky completed a Ph.D. in psychology. In addition to his extensive research credentials, he has conducted studies for Genral Motors on music and branding.
Prof. Brodsky will be available for interviews and will be speaking at the Eighth International Driving Symposium on Human Factors in Driver Assessment, Training and Vehicle Design. The symposium will be held at Snowbird, Salt Lake City, Utah, from June 22 through 25, 2015. The book is available at Amazon.com.
ABOUT AMERICANS FOR BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY
By supporting a world-class academic institution that not only nurtures the Negev, but also shares its expertise locally and globally, Americans for Ben-Gurion University engages a community of Americans who are committed to improving the world. David Ben-Gurion envisioned that Israel’s future would be forged in the Negev. The cutting-edge research carried out at Ben-Gurion University drives that vision by sustaining a desert Silicon Valley, with the “Stanford of the Negev” at its center. The Americans for Ben-Gurion University movement supports a 21st century unifying vision for Israel by rallying around BGU’s remarkable work and role as an apolitical beacon of light in the Negev desert.
About Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev embraces the endless potential we have as individuals and as a commonality to adapt and to thrive in changing environments. Inspired by our location in the desert, we aim to discover, to create, and to develop solutions to dynamic challenges, to pose questions that have yet to be asked, and to push beyond the boundaries of the commonly accepted and possible.
We are proud to be a central force for inclusion, diversity and innovation in Israel, and we strive to extend the Negev’s potential and our entrepreneurial spirit throughout the world. For example, the multi-disciplinary School for Sustainability and Climate Change at BGU leverages over 50 years of expertise on living and thriving in the desert into scalable solutions for people everywhere.
BGU at a glance:
20,000 students | 800 senior faculty | 3 campuses | 6 faculties: humanities & social sciences, health sciences, engineering sciences, natural sciences, business & management, and desert research.
For all press inquiries, please contact:
James Fattal, J Cubed Communications
516.289.1496
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