Instructions to this report

Life in the Fast Lane -- Driving Behavior and Music

 Do you ever get caught up into listening to a song, that you don't even realize how it affects your driving? Music plays a big factor on how people decide to drive. For example, I tend to notice many teenagers (and I'm stereotyping here) accustomed to playing loud (bass loud) music while on the highways and biways-- it ranges from rap to contemporary mellow music, and they tend to go either at that "cruz" mode or the "speedracer" type mode. Music has a psychological affect upon one's judgement in driving. I myself tend to get carried away when I hear a good jam on the radio -- my emotions run wild and my driving gets faster. It depends on the type of music one listens to that affect the way one drives. Does it really make a difference if the radio is on or off while driving? Mr. Sasabe (G7) suggests that by not having the radio on while driving put him more into a calm and relaxing state of mind. On the other hand, however, when a favorite song of his comes on the radio, he "loses his self." I agree! I love my music, but I try to drive without the music on once in a while because it gives me a better chance to think of other things that's on my mind. Music can most certainly have an effect on one's driving behavior.  For example, while growing up I listened to a lot of Hawaiian music (from my mom and dad) while riding in a car.  I found it to be relaxing and enjoyable.  I still listen to Hawaiian music while driving when I feel like just crusing, but I also like to listen to music that gets my "engine reving" so-to-speak.  Both types of music has an effect on my driving -- it just depends on how I feel at the time.

Rock and Roll/Rap ? can music control our behavior?

Mr Miyoshi (G7) contends that rock and roll music makes our "hearts beat faster." He suggests that it makes our adrenaline flow and make us lose some of our senses. Well, in my opinion, I believe that music (especially rock and roll) can get our hormones pumping and the chemicals in our bodies sparking off some kind of physiological effect upon our behavior. He also has another aspect towards listening to music stations. He suggests that issues mentioned on the radio, rather than the music itself, can have an effect upon our driving. For example, if the DJ brings on touchy situations or points, then that would tend to bring about aggressive type behavior on the road. I agree.  I hardly listen to talk shows on the radio while driving, however, when I do, it tends to get me upset to have to listen to such biased opinions.  Although it can be entertaining once in a while, I believe that ti could raise feeling of hostility (if it's a touchy subject) thereby making one drive in a hostile way.

Music ? stress reliever or lead foot achiever?

Do we drive faster according to the type of music we listen to? Mr. Shintani (G7) seem to think so. In fact, he claims that when he has the urge to drive fast, he pops in a CD that has a powerful or fast beat. On the other hand, when he feels like taking it easy, he would put in a mellow CD like Kalapana or soft rock.
I tend to find myself listening to music that suits my mood at that certain point in time while driving.  For example, I usually listen to fast-paced music when it's Friday because I know that the weekend is coming and it's time to let my hair down.  However, when I know that I have things to think about (such as school work), I find myself listening to mellow instrumental music like radio station "KUMU."

K-ROK VS. K-KLASSIK

Mr. Shintani also suggests that some music causes bad driving behavior. He compares heavy metal music to classical music. He argues that studies have proven that classical music in malls, for example, help to reduce the amount to violence. I find that very interesting -- I never thought about the music that's played in the malls to be effective on people.  My analysis on classical music being played in malls would suggest to have some kind of soothing effect on the subliminal mind to entice people to shop more (because of the soothing music).

What role does music play on our psyche?

Web visitor Brian Haimerman explains some facts on how rock and roll effects our psyche. He suggests that it affects our psycho-physical. For example, the loudness and the beat play the biggest part. "It has a direct effect on our hearts." I find this very interesting, because it explains to me why older people do not like to listen to loud beat music-- they could very well end up with a heart attack! It could also explain why they don't listen to this type of music while driving -- it very well mean that it affects their driving ability in some fashion.  For example, if they listen to rock and roll, they could become anxious to the stimulus around them making it hard for them to concentrate on the road.

Personality types

Kristen Evert (G7) has analyzed her own driving after reading an excerp about music and driving behavior. She claims that she loves loud and usually fast-paced and "singable" music, but she is not really a fast driver -- even with the music playing. She claims that her pace continues to be at the steady pace that she usually drives (ten miles over the speed limit -- max). Well, does music have an effect on every one's driving behavior?? In this case, it seems to be disproven.  I'm not sure I agree with Kristen.  I find that I have tendencies to drive fast when I listen to fast paced music -- especially when my mood is good.

CSS engine and Site Indexes ( Some insights on Music and Driving)

There are many topics that we can refer to on newsgroups, so that's where I went to get some more information on this topic of music and driving. First of all, I'd like to make mention of Ms. Nakagawa's report. She makes mention of the site that she went to in which she found very interesting.
I have gone to Dr. James' CSS engine and Site Indexes where I have found some insightful results.  For example, "The Oahu Traffic Safety Council Traffic Psychology Handout," has listed some very interesting tips on driving while listening to the radio.  For instance, it asks the question, "Is your radio playing too loud?" and then goes on to give advice such as, "Have a heart.  Fill it with love for your neighbor."  In other words, it is suggesting that loud music is not only a distracting stimulus to the one that's driving, but can also be distracting to other drivers around them.
I do find it to be distracting when I hear another car with their volumne turned all the way up with the bass pumping so loud.  It gets me distracted because I start to look around to see who it is making me not concentrate on the road.

Refer to Rothe

In chapter 4 of Rothe, he points out some of the risk taking behaviors that we do while driving. This chapter can relate to this topic of "music and driving." For example, I often find myself doing "out of the ordinary" driving stunts when I listen to certain types of music (rock and roll for instance), making my driving hazzardous to myself and others. Music can effect one's judgement while driving, and I find that a lot of risk taking is involved.

My findings on ERIC and Uncover database

Howitt, Dennis; Dembo, Richard. A Subcultural Account of Media Effects Human Relations; 27, 1, 25-42, Jan 74. 1974

Malfetti, James L.; Winter, Darlene J.. Drivers 55 Plus: Test Your Own Performance. A Self-Rating Form of Questions, Facts and Suggestions for Safe Driving.

Greenberg, Bradley S.; Wotring, C. Edward. Television Violence and Its Potential for Aggressive Driving Behavior Journal of Broadcasting; 18, 4, 473-480, F 74. 1974

Riera, Michael. Uncommon Sense for Parents with Teenagers. Celestial Arts 1995

Bell, Fred. How to Keep Your Teenage Driver Alive. PTA Today; v8 n4 p21-22 Feb 1983. 1983

Stephens, Diane; And Others. Assessment and Decision Making in Schools: A Cross-Site Analysis. Technical Report No. 614. .

The Mood of American Youth. Based on a 1983 Survey of American Youth. Publications, National Association of Secondary School Principals, 1904 Association Drive, Reston, VA 22091 ($5.00).

Smith, Donna Ridley, Comp.. Popular Music: A Selected Bibliography of Materials in the California State University, Sacramento Library. Second Edition. Bibliographic Series No. 22. .

Brenton, Myron. The Older Person's Guide to Safe Driving. Public Affairs Pamphlet No. 641.

Shields, Steven O.; Ogles, Robert M.. The Contribution of "Around the Dial" to American Music Radio Announcing Culture.

My summary of these findings: I've found that, although most journal articles didn't specifically deal with "music and driving," it does give us some sense of how it can relate to driving and listening to music at the same time. For example, it gives us some insight on the types of behavior that one has while driving and the different influences that affects driving.

My impressions of other students on "music and driving"

Thadeus Oba of G10/98 gave some good insight on the comments made on G7's student email discussions on "music and driving." It seems that he can relate to what they had commented on and, he also gives some added support to the discussions. First of all, I liked Mr. Oba's well thought out suggestions to the different situations. On top of that, I liked the layout of his webpage.

Terrence Nakamatsu also did a report on this subject and I've found that he related to what the students of G7 had to say.

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