Listening to audiobooks to pass the time is widespread and a great way to check off a book from your reading list. Many drivers turn to audiobooks as well. They are similar to podcasts or news stations, but there is speculation that audiobooks could be more of a distraction.
Do audiobooks distract drivers, or are they simply harmless hobbies?
Read on to find out.
Road Safety: Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a leading cause of road accidents. It accounted for 14 percent of all accidents in 2018. Distracting activities like using a mobile while driving, eating, and listening to loud music could take a driver’s focus away from the road.
“Shifting your eyes from the road, even for a few seconds, could have devastating effects. You will only spot potential hazards once it is too late to react appropriately,” says accident lawyer Felix Gonzalez.
That said, are audiobooks a source of distraction? Well, audiobooks have proven to be both helpful and distracting, depending on the situation. Here is why
The Audiobook Case
Even though most people try to oversimplify driving, it is a trivial task that requires a driver’s complete focus. During long and monotonous commutes, drivers tend to get bored, lowering their cognitive functions. This “boredom” might make drivers drive absent-mindedly or pick up their cell phones.
Therefore, drivers need to be stimulated on long drives to enhance their performance. The best way to improve their mental load is to listen to audiobooks. It keeps their mind engaged, preventing a feeling of fatigue.
Research done by Ryan Toxopeus and Robert Nowosielski to test how drivers respond to different conditions while listening to a Harry Potter audiobook gave insightful results. Using a driving simulator, they compared the performance of drivers listening to audiobooks to those who just drove.
To quantify a driver’s performance, the researchers used metrics such as response time to sudden hazards, speed, and lateral position. Both groups were exposed to simple and complex environments as they drove.
The study found that listening to audiobooks protected drivers from mental underload. Thus, these drivers responded faster to hazards and drove within the speed limit in austere environments. The results are resourceful for drivers with long daily commutes on monotonous roads such as rural areas.
Audiobooks were, however, found to be distracting in complex situations. Audiobooks significantly affected drivers who could not multitask, while those who could easily switch from one task to another had no challenges.
The type of book a driver is listening to might also affect their driving. Those with thrilling stories and different narrators’ voices might lead to too much distraction. On the other hand, self-development and philosophy audiobooks are less distracting and could cause boredom.
Final Words
At a time when distracted driving is among the leading causes of road accidents, it is reasonable to avoid any potential distractions, audiobooks included. As a driver, you should know your limits. Are you able to multitask? If not, turn off the audiobook, whether on a long drive or not.
You can listen to an audiobook if you can handle both tasks without difficulty. Frankly, they have proven to increase a driver’s mental load and response time to hazards. However, choose a book that keeps you engaged and not distracted while doing this.
Do not oversimplify driving. Remember, you are operating a machine that could cause massive destruction if not handled correctly. Do everything in your power to keep yourself and motorists safe.
