THE NEW GENERATION OF ROCK

Songs from the Killers and Green Day have been deemed among the most dangerous to listen to while driving. Researchers conducting a study at the South China University Of Technology have determined that songs with 120 beats per minute or higher are more likely to make you drive faster and risk dangerous maneuvers. Green Day’s “American Idiot” and the Killers’ “Mr Brightside” joined tracks from Miley Cyrus, the Chainsmokers and Bruce Springsteen as the five most dangerous, while tunes from Led Zeppelin, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Drake, Toto and Khalid were among the safest. Participants in the study drove along a simulated six-lane road while listening to a variety of music. The average number of times these participants switched lanes was 20 times in a time frame of 70 minutes. But that number almost doubled while the drivers were listening to rock music, and their speed also increased by an average of five miles per hour over the speed limit. Lead researcher said, “The findings are useful for the development of effective driver education strategies. In particular, a publicity program that could enhance public awareness of the negative impact of music listening on driving performance.”