Could your driving playlist be doing more harm than good?
June 26, 2025 by Siobhan Doyle
Car changing is a big deal
What you listen to in the car can affect how you drive. Here鈥檚 the psychology behind it and which songs are safer to play on the road.
We all have a go-to driving playlist. Whether it鈥檚 feel-good road trip tunes or heart-pounding tracks to blast with the windows down, music is all part of the experience. But your favourite songs might be doing more than setting the mood 鈥 they might be putting you (and everyone else on the road) at risk.
A new study from ticket search engine analysed 252 of Spotify鈥檚 most streamed songs in the US, looking at two major factors 鈥 tempo (beats per minute) and volume (decibels) 鈥 to see how different tracks affect driver behaviour. The result? Some songs can significantly increase your risk of accidents, while others can actually help you to drive more safely.
Before we dive in, remember you can buy a brand new or used car right here on 莲花直播. And you can also sell your car, too. We鈥檙e here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
The safest songs to drive to
Coming in as the safest song is Toto鈥檚 1982 classic 鈥楢frica鈥. With a laid-back 93 BPM tempo and a whisper-soft volume level of -18.06db, it scored just 1.61 on the study鈥檚 鈥渞isk index鈥 鈥 the lowest of all songs tested. This balance creates what they call a 鈥減erfect audio environment鈥 for keeping the brain calm and focused behind the wheel, according to the researchers.
In second place? Chris Stapleton鈥檚 鈥楾ennessee Whiskey,鈥 a slow-burn country ballad that clocks in at just 49 BPM, earning a risk score of 2.17. Its easy-going rhythm helps drivers naturally relax and ease off the acceleration.
Here are the top five safest songs, according to the study:
| Rank | Song | Artist | Risk score | Tempo | Loudness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Africa | TOTO | 1.61 | 93 BPM | -18.06db |
| 2 | Tennessee Whiskey | Chris Stapleton | 2.17 | 49 BPM | -10.89db |
| 3 | Linger | The Cranberries | 2.63 | 95 BPM | -14.92db |
| 4 | I Wanna Be Yours | Arctic Monkeys | 3.33 | 68 BPM | -9.35db |
| 5 | Gangsta鈥檚 Paradise | Coolio | 3.56 | 80 BPM | -10.05db |
These tracks share common traits: slower tempos, lower volumes, and emotionally mellow tones 鈥 all of which help prevent overstimulation and reduce risky behaviours such as speeding and tailgating.
鈥淵our playlist could literally determine whether you make it home alive tonight,鈥 said Guy Kogel, CTO of SeatPick. 鈥淭he sweet spot is tracks with moderate tempos between 60-100 BPM 鈥 they鈥檒l keep you alert without making you drive like Lewis Hamilton.鈥
The most dangerous songs to drive to
On the flip side, high-tempo, high-volume tracks can wreak havoc on your concentration and judgment. At the top of the danger list is Green Day鈥檚 rock anthem 鈥楢merican Idiot,鈥 which earned a risk score of 9.85 鈥 the highest in the study. Its 186 BPM tempo and ear-blasting -2.04db volume level create what experts called 鈥渢he perfect storm鈥 for reckless driving.
Close behind is JAY-Z and Alicia Keys鈥 鈥淓mpire State of Mind鈥 (9.56), with a rapid 174 BPM and one of the loudest profiles tested.
Here are the top five most dangerous songs:
| Rank | Song | Artist | Risk score | Tempo | Loudness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | American Idiot | Green Day | 9.85 | 186 BPM | -2.04db |
| 2 | Empire State of Mind (feat. Alicia Keys) | JAY-Z | 9.56 | 174 BPM | -1.54db |
| 3 | Wonderwall | Oasis | 8.79 | 174 BPM | -4.10db |
| 4 | We Are Young (feat. Janelle Mon谩e) | fun. | 8.70 | 184 BPM | -5.58db |
| 5 | Somewhere Only We Know | Keane | 8.68 | 172 BPM | -4.22db |
鈥淔ast, loud music literally triggers your fight-or-flight response when you鈥檙e driving,鈥 Kogel explained. 鈥淵our heart rate jumps, adrenaline floods your system, and you start unconsciously matching your speed to the beat.鈥
The psychology of music behind the wheel
So why does music have such a great impact on how we drive? It鈥檚 all about how our brain processes rhythm and sound.
Studies have shown that music directly , which controls heart rate and stress responses. Fast, loud music can elevate your heart rate and increase adrenaline, leading to riskier behaviour behind the wheel. However, slower tempos and softer sound levels can help .
There鈥檚 also rhythmic entrainment: our tendency to subconsciously sync our behaviour to a beat. For instance, if you鈥檙e listening to a 130 BPM dance track, your driving speed might creep up to match the tempo without you even noticing.
A 2019 study found that were more likely to break speed limits and make sudden lane changes, while those listening to softer, slower music maintained steadier speeds and were more cautious on the road.
What about lullabies? Can calming music be too calming?
At first glance, recommending slower songs for safe driving sounds a little questionable. After all, we鈥檝e all been lulled to sleep by gentle, repetitive tunes, seeing as lullabies, by definition, are designed to knock us out. So is it really smart to bring that mood into the car?
The short answer: it depends.
There鈥檚 a sweet spot for driving music: 60-100 BPM, as the SeatPick study suggests. It鈥檚 fast enough to keep you alert, but slow enough to avoid overstimulation. Think of it like sipping a warm cup of tea 鈥 relaxing, but you鈥檙e still fully present.
Dip below that, though into lullaby territory (< 50 BPM) and things can get dicey. Super slow, repetitive, and quiet music can lull you into a mental haze, especially during long or late-night drives. Reaction times drop, focus fades, and suddenly you鈥檙e cruising on autopilot.
Here are the differences between different music types for better context:
| Music type | Best for | Risk when driving |
|---|---|---|
| 60鈥100 BPM chill pop or acoustic | Daytime driving, moderate alertness | Low |
| < 50 BPM ambient/lullabies | Falling asleep, winding down | Higher (may cause drowsiness) |
| > 120 BPM dance/rock/hip-hop | Working out, partying | High (may cause overstimulation) |
So yes, music can be too calming to drive safely. The trick is balance: go for mellow tracks with a steady beat and just enough energy to keep your brain in gear.
Want to stay safe? Here鈥檚 what to stream
You don鈥檛 have to sacrifice your playlist completely, but a few tweaks could help you be more safe on the road:
- Stick to 60-100 BPM for a steady, alert mindset.
- Keep the volume moderate 鈥 loud doesn鈥檛 mean better, especially in traffic.
- Avoid songs with sudden volume/tempo changes as they can jolt your focus.
- Choose chill genres: think soft rock, mellow R&B, ambient, or country.
- Save your high-energy tunes for the gym, not the road.
If in doubt, just hit repeat on 鈥楢frica鈥 and drive.
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Looking for a new set of wheels? With 莲花直播 you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price 鈥 as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you鈥檙e looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, 莲花直播 is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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