EFFECT OF A CAR RADIO ON DRIVING IN TRAFFIC

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Eight drivers were tested in light and heavy traffic while listening to recorded programmes of music and speech. The effects of these auditory distractions on the use of the car controls and time taken over a standard test circuit of 2·2 miles were measured by comparison with scores obtained in a quiet condition of normal driving. In light traffic, music significantly reduced the frequency with which the accelerator and brake pedals were used (p = 0·05), and in heavy traffic it increased the time taken per circuit )p < 0·05). These changes were interpreted as being beneficial. Speech had an insignificant effect on all scores, whether listening was motivated simply by interest in the programme, or by the need to remember its content.

This publication has 12 references indexed in Scilit: