So what better way to enjoy the latest music than by leasing a car with the newest audio technology, letting you enjoy every note in crystal clear quality. But once you're ready to turn up the volume on the latest hits, the question remains, which breakthrough artist is the most beneficial to listen to while driving?
As we revealed in our 2024 study, 'Which Artists Help Us Concentrate Behind The Wheel?' , music with a certain BPM (beats per minute) has been proven to help boost performance in various scenarios. Tracks with a BPM over 120 have been shown to help athletes run faster, while slower songs, ranging from 60 to 70 BPM, have been linked to improved focus for students.
In our original study we analysed music from classical composers, pop legends and iconic rock bands to reveal that Drake, Eminem and Ariana Grande aided driving concentration the most. In this new study, we set out to determine which of the breakthrough and trending artists you're most likely to hear on your radio at the moment, from Sabrina Carpenter to Chappell Roan, are the most beneficial to listen to while driving.
As many drivers would remember, a crucial part of the UK driving test is the hazard perception test, an indicator of how quickly you can react to potentially dangerous situations while behind the wheel.
So, we tasked UK full driving licence holders to complete a series of hazard perception tests while listening to playlists from 20 different artists who are currently topping the music charts.
After each hazard perception test was completed (while listening to a specific artist's playlist) each participants' scores were recorded and totalled to reveal the average result per artist.
The scores below represent the average score achieved by multiple participants listening to a particular artist during a standard UK hazard perception test; higher scores indicate greater levels of concentration, meaning the participants identified and reacted to hazards quicker when listening to that particular artist.
The top three artists boosting driving focus are Noah Kahan, who took the top spot, followed by Doechii, and Sabrina Carpenter in third place.
The rest of the top ten features a diverse mix of genres, but pop and R&B dominate, with over half of the artists falling into these categories. Soulful singer Teddy Swims, pop icon Charli XCX, and rising star Benson Boone all rank among the top names helping drivers stay focused. The list also includes UK rap heavyweight Central Cee and boundary-pushing artist RAYE, proving that even high-energy and emotionally charged music can support concentration on the road. Legendary rock band Oasis, who announced their comeback tour last year, also rank highly among the artists who help aid concentration on the road.
Taking the number one spot is Noah Kahan with an average hazard perception score of 56.1/75. Over the past 18 months, his album 'Stick Season' has gained massive traction, with heartfelt storytelling and mellow instrumentals resonating with listeners worldwide. His steady rhythms and reflective lyrics seem to create an ideal atmosphere for staying alert on the road.
A rising star in the music industry, Doechii blends rap, R&B, and pop. With breakout hits such as 'DENIAL IS A RIVER' and high-profile collaborators like Katy Perry, she has established herself as a must-watch artist. Her music ranks second in the study with an average hazard perception score of 55.6, suggesting it keeps listeners engaged without being overly-distracting.
Sabrina Carpenter's infectious pop melodies and effortless vocals have cemented her status as a pop superstar over the past year. Songs like 'Espresso' and 'Please, Please, Please' have dominated the charts. While listening to her light yet rhythmic sound, participants had an average hazard perception score of 54.2/75. Her third-place ranking shows she provides the perfect balance of engagement and control.
Teddy Swims has had an incredible rise to fame, with his single 'Lose Control' propelling him to global recognition. However, drivers in our study certainly weren't losing control while listening to his music, with participants scoring an average hazard perception score of 53.4. His emotionally rich and smooth sound appears to create a calming yet focused driving experience, helping listeners stay engaged on the road.
Participants listening to Chappell Roan only managed an average hazard perception score of 44.1/75, making her the lowest-ranked artist in the study. Her breakout hits 'Good Luck, Babe!', 'Casual' and 'Pink Pony Club' have propelled her into the spotlight, earning widespread acclaim. However, her emotionally charged performances and dynamic sound may make her music more immersive, potentially distracting drivers' attention away from the road.
With safety always being the primary concern when driving, what does the Highway Code say about driving while listening to music?
It doesn't explicitly state that you cannot listen to music while driving, however the Highway Code does have two crucial rules that drivers should be aware of when playing their favourite artists:
As stipulated by Rule 148 of the Highway Code, focus can be impaired by distractions such as loud music. So, while technically listening to music through your radio or headphones isn't against the law, if either are deemed to be preventing or distracting you from driving safely, you could end up paying a fine upwards of £5,000 and receiving three to nine points on your licence.
Under that same section of the Highway code, changing the artist or song that you are listening to could be deemed as a distraction and result in you receiving a fine. New laws came in during 2022 that aimed to combat dangerous driving, meaning that picking up your smartphone to change a song could lead to you landing an immediate £200 fine. Best practice is to set a safe volume before starting your journey, so you don't have to adjust while driving, and don't change the song or artist until you've come to a complete stop.
Some of the best car models for music fans to lease include Land Rovers, which have the Meridian Sound System, BMWs, which come complete with Harman Kardon sound systems. Discover Auto Trader's full range of cars to lease here.
Methodology
Using market research agency Prolific, we asked 200 participants with full UK driving licences to take a full standardised Hazard Perception test whilst listening to a specific playlist of a 2024 breakthrough or trending music artist. Their scores were then averaged out and used to rank the artists that are most helpful to listen to in order to spot and react to developing hazards.
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