Music has played a critical role in establishing Nashville as a city. It’s considered the “Music City” of the nation for a reason. You can hear just by taking a walk outside, whether it’s coming from a nearby music bar, outdoor concert or blasting from the back of someone’s car.
Unfortunately, some people can get carried away if they turn up the volume at the wrong time. Even though turning on the car radio isn’t considered as bad as texting while driving, it can still distract you enough to alter your performance on the road. Residents and tourists should know how dangerous it is if you let music control you too much during your daily tasks.
Turn down the volume and the beat
Studies show that music increases the amount of mental effort you put in while driving. This means basic tasks that such as turning or following another car become more difficult to focus on as part of you is concentrating on the tunes in the background. Louder music can also drastically decrease your reaction speed.
It isn’t to say that all music is bad for you on the road. Like studying or performing other menial tasks, some people believe they perform better as long as they have something to listen to while they work. However, your performance can vary depending on what type of music you like to listen to. For example, those who listen to fast-paced music with major keys are more likely to drive faster and exceed speed limits. It might make them feel like more they are in a racing movie or video game rather than Nashville’s streets.
Running to the rhythm
Drivers aren’t the only ones who let their music choices impact their performance. Several pedestrian deaths have occurred because some underestimate how important sound is to safety.
Many joggers and marathon runners these days often have their headphones connected to their phones and music devices to keep up the pace on the streets. While they can see oncoming traffic ahead of them and to their sides, their music can leave them oblivious to anyone coming up behind them. Earlier this month, police found a set of earbuds near a man’s lifeless body in west Nashville. A train hit the man after he didn’t respond to a loud warning horn.
Even though music plays such an important part of Nashville’s cultural identity, drivers and pedestrians shouldn’t misuse it on the road. Victims of distracted drivers should contact a local personal injury attorney to help them recover from damages.