Loud music gives motorists the blues

Drivers find over-loud music in their cars a real turn-off, according to a survey.

More than half of motorists (54 per cent) want volume controls enforced on in-car music to stop the distraction, the poll by Allianz Your Cover Insurance found.

Based on responses from 1,000 drivers, the study also found that 63 per cent are annoyed by other drivers playing music loudly.

As many as 22 per cent of male drivers and 12 per cent of women motorists had had, or almost had, an accident due to listening to music.

Music-wise, jazz and blues fans were most likely to be distracted by their music, while those playing classical music were least likely to become inattentive.

The survey showed that, on average, drivers played music for 72 per cent of the time they were in the car, with 27 per cent listening to music on every journey.