A new study from Harvard Medical School indicates a link between the release of major music albums and an increase in fatal car crashes in the US. Researchers found that on the release dates of 10 major albums between 2017 and 2022, US traffic fatalities showed a relative increase of 15.1% compared to similar days either side of the release.
Dr Vishal Patel, the study's first author, noted that these events provide a unique opportunity to observe national smartphone use spikes unrelated to road conditions or weather. The team observed that streaming volume for the top 200 songs in the US was 43% higher on major album release dates.
The study, published in Jama Network Open, suggests that accessing new music on smartphones, which often involves multiple steps, could distract drivers. Unfamiliar and high-energy music has also been suggested to degrade driving performance. The rise in fatalities was more pronounced among younger drivers, male drivers, and those driving alone or with built-in infotainment platforms.