Drivers vote classical music 'most calming'

A new survey has found that drivers believe classical music is the best accompaniment for safe driving, while heavy metal was deemed to be distracting and most likely to encourage dangerous driving – a well-known cause of rising motor insurance premiums and claims.

The AA found that 21 per cent found classical music to be a calming influence behind the wheel, with melodic soft rock and country music taking second and third place respectively.

However, the survey found that 58 per cent of motorists found heavy metal to be a dangerous distraction which could encourage people to drive in a way in which they could crash, potentially requiring the use of a motor insurance policy.

Lloyd East, head of AA personal loans, said: "There is no question that music influences the way people drive. Calming music makes drivers safer on the road."

He added: "[It] is important that they don't let absorbing air guitar sequences lead to unnecessary prangs and bumps!"

Also among the other types of music voted to be distracting to drivers were hip hop, opera, jazz and dolphin music.

The Highway Code says that crashes – which may affect your motor insurance premiums or no claims bonus – are best avoided by concentrating. It suggests that loud music should be kept to a minimum and that changing CDs or radio stations while driving can be a dangerous distraction.


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