Accidents Caused by Listening to Music
Missing Warning Sounds that were Blocked by Music
It would be extremely difficult to live without music, as music is heard everywhere: at the store, in the mall, at home, over the television, and through the radio. People cannot live without music, as it gives people energy, lifts spirits, speaks to many, and moves us all.
Because some people feel so strongly about music, they take their music with them wherever they go. Sadly, listening to music should not be for everyone, everywhere. There are some dangers that listening to music can cause, especially to bicyclists. When cyclists wear headphones to listen to music while riding their bikes on the streets of Atlanta, it could cause them to be involved in bicycle accidents.
Listening to music while riding a bicycle can cause a bicyclist to miss hearing warning noises, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Tires screeching
- Horns honking
- Brakes squealing
- Speeding vehicles
- Sirens from emergency vehicles
- Other road noises
The above-mentioned sounds could indicate that there are potential dangers, and a cyclist should try to move over or move out of the way, if possible. However, if a cyclist is wearing headphones and listening to music while riding a bicycle in Georgia, the music could block out these warning sounds – leaving the cyclist vulnerable on the road. Listening to music while cycling is not safe.
A recent study by Ohio State University indicated that pedestrians walking in the vicinity of moving motor vehicles are at increased danger of being in accidents while listening to music. If this greater risk from distractions is true for pedestrians, it may be true for bicyclists too. If you know cyclists who enjoy riding their bicycles and listening to music at the same time, please talk to them about the dangers of cycling while distracted by music.
