Harvard Study Links Major Album Releases to 15% Increase in Fatal Car Crashes
A new study conducted by Harvard Medical School researchers has found a significant correlation between the release dates of major music albums and an increase in fatal car crashes in the U.S. The study, published in the journal Jama Network Open, analyzed 10 major album releases between 2017 and 2022, including works by Taylor Swift, Drake, and Harry Styles. Researchers observed a 15.1% relative increase in U.S. traffic fatalities on these release days compared to similar days before and after the releases. This increase is estimated to account for approximately 182 additional fatalities attributable to the release days of the 10 albums studied. Dr. Vishal Patel, the lead author, suggests that the act of accessing new music on smartphones, which involves multiple steps like unlocking the phone, opening an app, and selecting a song, contributes to distracted driving. Additionally, unfamiliar and high-energy music may further degrade driving performance. 
