The Well-Tempered Ear

Classical music: Classical music makes driving more dangerous than hip-hop or heavy metal, researchers say.

By Jacob Stockinger

Yesterday was the good news: Making music can be good for health.

It can lower blood pressure and enhance a feeling of well-being.

Today comes the bad news: Listening to classical music leads to traffic accidents, more so than other music, researchers say, including hip-hop and heavy metal.

Perhaps that is because the music is better and more engaging, or more difficult to ignore.

But that positive quality could be deadly.

Here is a link to the story on NPR’s “Deceptive Cadence” blog:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/deceptivecadence/2013/01/23/170067480/back-off-the-bach-to-drive-safely

Ad here is a link to original British story:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/9787334/Want-to-drive-safely-Listen-to-Elton-John-Aerosmith-or-S-Club-7.html

What do you think?

Will this research discourage you from listening to your favorite classical radio station or classic music?

The Ear wants to hear.