Can the radio distract you while you’re on the road?

If someone asked you to name a form of distracted driving in Illinois, you probably wouldn’t think about listening to the radio. Everyone does it, and if it were dangerous, cars wouldn’t come pre-installed with their own radios. Listening to the radio isn’t inherently dangerous, but under certain circumstances, it can be distracting.

How can listening to the radio lead to distracted driving?

Surprisingly, listening to your favorite music can increase your risk of getting into car accidents. If you’re listening to music that you don’t normally care for, you won’t be paying attention to what’s on the radio. But when your favorite song starts to play, your excitement and engagement might pull your attention away from the road for a few minutes. Even a minor distraction like this can lead to an accident.

Loud music can also distract you while you’re on the road, whether you’re listening to heavy metal or simply listening to the radio at full volume. A study revealed that listening to loud music can slow your reaction time by up to 20%, which can mean the difference between life and death on the highway. A study also revealed that over 90% of teen drivers listen to loud music while they’re on the road. This might be a factor in the high accident rate for teen drivers.

What should you do after you’ve been in an accident?

If you’ve been in a car accident, it’s important to start gathering evidence as soon as possible. You won’t be able to go back and take pictures once the scene has been cleared, so take pictures and videos of your car and the accident scene. You should also get medical treatment and obtain documentation of your injuries. Once you’ve collected evidence, you can talk to an attorney who can help you receive compensation for the accident.