Could your driving playlist be doing more harm than good?

We all have a go-to driving playlist. Whether it’s 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 – they might be putting you (and everyone else on the road) at risk.

A new study from ticket search engine SeatPick analysed 252 of Spotify’s most streamed songs in the US, looking at two major factors – tempo (beats per minute) and volume (decibels) – 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.

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The safest songs to drive to

Coming in as the safest song is Toto’s 1982 classic ‘Africa’. With a laid-back 93 BPM tempo and a whisper-soft volume level of -18.06db, it scored just 1.61 on the study’s “risk index” – the lowest of all songs tested. This balance creates what they call a “perfect audio environment” for keeping the brain calm and focused behind the wheel, according to the researchers.

In second place? Chris Stapleton’s ‘Tennessee Whiskey,’ 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:

These tracks share common traits: slower tempos, lower volumes, and emotionally mellow tones – all of which help prevent overstimulation and reduce risky behaviours such as speeding and tailgating.

“Your playlist could literally determine whether you make it home alive tonight,” said Guy Kogel, CTO of SeatPick. “The sweet spot is tracks with moderate tempos between 60-100 BPM – they’ll keep you alert without making you drive like Lewis Hamilton.”

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’s rock anthem ‘American Idiot,’ which earned a risk score of 9.85 – the highest in the study. Its 186 BPM tempo and ear-blasting -2.04db volume level create what experts called “the perfect storm” for reckless driving.

Close behind is JAY-Z and Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind” (9.56), with a rapid 174 BPM and one of the loudest profiles tested.

Here are the top five most dangerous songs:

“Fast, loud music literally triggers your fight-or-flight response when you’re driving,” Kogel explained. “Your heart rate jumps, adrenaline floods your system, and you start unconsciously matching your speed to the beat.”

The psychology of music behind the wheel

So why does music have such a great impact on how we drive? It’s all about how our brain processes rhythm and sound.

Studies have shown that music directly affects the autonomic nervous system, 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 reduce anxiety and improve focus.

There’s also rhythmic entrainment: our tendency to subconsciously sync our behaviour to a beat. For instance, if you’re 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 drivers listening to songs over 120 BPM 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’ve 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’s a sweet spot for driving music: 60-100 BPM, as the SeatPick study suggests. It’s fast enough to keep you alert, but slow enough to avoid overstimulation. Think of it like sipping a warm cup of tea – relaxing, but you’re 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’re cruising on autopilot.

Here are the differences between different music types for better context:

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’s what to stream

You don’t 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 – loud doesn’t 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 ‘Africa’ and drive.

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