September 15, 2009

Attention music fans - listening to a music based radio show is half as likely to distract you when driving than a talk based radio show.

Research commissioned by car insurance company Zurich Connect has found 56 per cent of respondents claiming to be distracted by chat, debate, sport and news programmes as opposed to 23 per cent, who said they were distracted by music-based programmes.

It’s a fair assumption that people will be more likely to change channel if a station is playing a song that they don’t like, or put on a CD (or even a mix tape!)  But it seems that listening to an opinion, on a talk based show, that you vehemently disagree with, makes you less likely to switch off and more likely to start interacting with the radio and not focussing on the road.

Mike Quinton from Zurich Connect, comments: “Watch out, or a Humphrys harangue could end in a prang.

“Listening to Radio 4 presenters giving politicians a hard time or to your favourite shock jock’s phone-in could mean you are more than twice as likely to take your eye off the road ahead.

“Likewise, beware of the noisy breakfast or drive-time shows that assault you with a non-stop barrage of gags and banter, like Moyles, Theakston or O’Connell.

 “The announcement that Chris Evans is taking over from Terry Wogan means the Radio 2 breakfast show distraction rating is likely to go up a few notches.  Sir Terry’s blend of middle of the road music and quiet musings contrasts with the Evans maximum-noise formula.

“We want drivers to get to their destination as safely as possible, so the best rush-hour or school run choice, according to Zurich Connect’s research, is a nice relaxed music show with as little chat as possible - like Magic, Smooth FM or even Classic FM”

We’re not sure about this soporific selection of stations, but given that Queen’s ‘I want to break free’ was voted the nations favourite driving song in a poll conducted by HPI, the car finance people, we think it’s time that people took shook up of the soundtrack of their drive and tried something new.

Drivers of the UK have greater access than ever with MP3 players and different music formats galore.  Next time you take the car out why not plan what you’re going to listen to for the drive and see what new music can do for your journey, but remember to keep your eyes and attention focussed on the road!

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