Major Album Releases Linked to 15% Rise in US Traffic Fatalities

A new study published in JAMA Network Open finds that US traffic fatalities rise by about 15% on days when major music albums are released, compared with the days immediately before and after Source: CNN. The research, led by Dr. Vishal Patel of Harvard Medical School, analyzed the 10 most-streamed album release days from 2017 to 2022, including Taylor Swift's Midnights, Drake's Scorpion, and Harry Styles' Harry's House Source: The Guardian. Streaming volume on these days was 43% higher than surrounding days, and the study estimates approximately 182 additional deaths across the 10 release days, or about 18 extra deaths per release day Source: Gizmodo, The Guardian.

The pattern

The increase in fatalities was not uniform. It was more pronounced among younger drivers, males, those driving alone, and drivers of cars with built-in infotainment systems Source: The Guardian. Patel noted that the pattern—higher among sober drivers and not concentrated at night—suggests the cause is distraction from accessing music, not release parties or alcohol Source: CNN.

The mechanism

Patel explains that accessing a new album is a multi-step task: "You unlock the phone, open the app, find the release, read down a tracklist, tap the right song. That's several seconds of looking at a screen" Source: The Guardian. Unfamiliar, high-energy music may also demand more attention, further degrading driving performance Source: The Guardian.

Limitations and recommendations

The study is correlational and does not directly confirm smartphone use in the crashes Source: The Guardian. Patel suggests streaming platforms could add a line about setting up music before driving, and advises drivers to "pick the album, hit play, put the phone down" Source: Gizmodo.