How Does Music Affect The Way You Drive?

It is possible for music to change a person’s mood and demeanour? The emotional connections we make with songs can have a range of effects from bringing back old memories to getting our hearts racing. It is therefore important to consider how this can impact on the way we drive.
Dr David Ireland who lectures in music psychology at the University of Leeds believes there is a strong relationship between listening to music and concentration levels. This relationship however, is not necessarily a negative one. There can be both positive and negative impacts of listening to music, depending on the characteristics of a given song.

radio

Driven to distraction
The two key aspects that determine what the impact of what you are listening too will be are the tempo and volume. If volume and tempo are high the music will “influence our arousal levels”. The consequences of this heightened sense of arousal can be erratic and bullish driving.
The potential for music to distract a driver is also important to remember. Research has shown that more energetic music is more distracting to drivers. This can be particularly dangerous when in difficult driving conditions as you may already be at the limits of concentration.
Young drivers have shown to be more susceptible to distraction when their favourite songs begin playing. The study, carried out by Dr Warren Brodsky and researcher Zack Slor stated that:
“As they get drawn-in by a song, they move from an extra-personal space involving driving tasks, to a more personal space of active music listening.”
This particular study found that a staggering 98% of young drivers involved made mistakes while driving and listening to their favourite song.

Easy listening
The news isn’t all bad, and the message here isn’t “don’t listen to music”. Research carried out by Dr Simon Moore at London Metropolitan University found that listening to calmer music can actually aid concentration and potentially make you a better driver. By listening to music that has a tempo that closely matches a human’s heart rate you can avoid the potential distraction music could cause. Songs that have between 60 and 80 beats per minute are considered the safest to listen to while driving so are ideal listening when in your car; take a look at the playlist below for some inspiration.

About the Author
Mychal Whittle is a professional writer and driving enthusiast working on behalf of Chaucer Direct. Car insurance provider for safe drivers.

A Guide to Off Road Driving

There are times when you will need to veer of the tarmac and drive a car on rough roads and murky waters. It is for this reason that off-road vehicles were designed. Northside driving schools gives their students instructions on how to drive safely and properly on rough terrain. However, before you drive off the pavement, here are a few tips for off-road driving for every possible road and season.

  • Know your vehicle

There are a number of vehicles that are specifically designed for off-road driving. A lot of manufacturers boast about all the things that their vehicles can do. However, before driving on rough roads, it is important for the driver to know their vehicle’s capabilities and limits. This is because even the best off-road vehicles are not immune to everything. Always check the vehicle before driving on rough terrain to ensure that it will serve you well. Also, read the manufacturer’s manual and follow their instructions on how to handle the car on rough roads. It is also important to know the height and the width of the vehicle before driving with it off-road.

  • Know your terrain

Off road driving involves driving on snow, rough roads, sand and even mud. A driver should know the type of terrain that they will drive on before venturing off the road. My driving school often gives instructions on the basics of off-road driving on different types of roads. There are also a lot of terrain-specific tips that will guide the driver when driving off-road. The driver should get maps of the area that they will be driving through. They should also ask about the weather conditions for the specific day that they intend to drive on the rough roads so that harsh weather does not catch them by surprise.

  • Do not travel alone

Anyone who ventures on tough terrain is advised to travel with someone who can help them whenever they get stuck. The driving partner will share the experience as well as provide a helping hand in situations where the vehicle needs to be pushed out of a tough spot. You could also choose to travel in separate cars, but always keep a close distance. This way, one driver can help to tow the stuck driver, or to advise them on how to drive out of the sticky situation.

  • Learn how to drive off-road  

Driving off-road is very different from driving on smooth tarmac. The driver should learn the tricks of manoeuvring through slippery surfaces, as well as the tips for climbing and descending steep slopes. They should also learn the tricks of how to transverse a slope, how to cross ridges and how to cross ditches. Different gears are engaged in each situation, and it is always important to know all of this information before heading off road.

Off road driving is both challenging and exhilarating. However, it is always important for the driver to follow this guide, or else they may end up ruining their car, or worse, getting stuck alone in the middle of nowhere.

About the Author

Mark Long is a very passionate researcher and writer. He has researched and written on a number of topics, especially driving guides from my driving school and Northside driving schools. He is always happy to share the tips and guidelines in his various articles.

What Makes a Good Driver?

Take a positive approach

So you’ve finally got your driving licence. You have passed the theory test to show that you have a good knowledge of the rules of the value driving lessons nottinghamroad. You’ve taken driving lessons in Nottingham and passed the practical test which shows you can handle a car and apply what you have learned to your everyday driving. However, there are other things which help define the good driver.

One of the most important factors is your overall attitude. An aggressive attitude will add to the stress of driving and make you more of a danger to yourself and those around you. Driving decisions will be rushed and you are more likely to display a poor attitude towards other motorists, perhaps becoming confrontational. By keeping a relaxed and positive attitude you will enjoy the pleasure of motoring and interact with other drivers in a much safer manner..

As a driver you are also responsible for the safety of your passengers. When it comes to wearing a seatbelt, you will be legally responsible for anyone under the age of 14 and must insure that they are safely strapped in. The way in which you drive will effect the comfort and safety of your passengers. Some people are nervous when being driven around and others may tend to be car sick. If you have a driving style that involves lots of harsh acceleration and braking then they aren’t going to have a good time. A smooth, well planned drive will keep everyone much happier

It’s essential that you are tolerant towards other drivers. If you are driving a car it’s all too easy to become angry towards cyclists and other slow moving vehicles. Keep calm and give them plenty of space. People make mistakes and always will so tolerance is a must. Letting others know you are angry by driving closely and trying to force them out of the way is a very dangerous game. Don’t forget that you will make driving mistakes like we all do and you wouldn’t want to be punished for them. Take a lenient attitude towards the mistakes of others and hopefully they’ll do the same for you.

Practice these qualities during driving lessons.

When it comes to Concentration, young drivers seem to be particularly vulnerable. As we become bored with a task the mind naturally drifts off. This can be seen when the traffic lights turn green and the lead driver is sat there staring into space until someone gives them a honk of the horn. Try to stay with it. If you are feeling tired or unwell then levels of concentration will be naturally lower. This is made worse if you are taking medication. A disciplined approach to driving will help keep you actively interested and enhance your ability to concentrate for longer periods.

You need to pay attention to what is happening all around so you can anticipate what may happen next. Poor observations make a driver who only reacts at the very last second. Stay one step ahead by constantly asking yourself what might happen next and planning for the unexpected. This way you will not be surprised. Remember, surprise is a hallmark of the poorly planned drive..

All these driver qualities are underpinned by the virtue of patience. If you don’t show patience then all the other things which make a good driver are more or less impossible. Combining all the above qualities will help you to become a top level driver. Getting a lift in your car will become a pleasure. Other drivers will look at you with respect and admiration. You know it’s true.

Feeling The Pressure on Driving Lessons

Other drivers aren’t out to get you

It’s always surprising how the performance of some people taking driving lessons can differ from one area to another. Many pupils driving lessons nottingham pressurewho have mastered the art of moving off and stopping in a quiet area can suddenly start to have difficulty as soon as there is more traffic around. Even learners who are good at moving off uphill and at an angle can become serial stallers as soon as we leave the quiet estate and enter the traffic flow. This can also happen when you are driving accompanied by a friend or relative.

The car controls stay the same wherever you are. It doesn’t matter whether you are in the middle of nowhere or there are a million cars behind you, the clutch movement remains exactly the same. Your skill levels will not suddenly drop. You will be as good on a busy road as you are on a quiet street. So what’s the problem?

Imagined pressure from other drivers effects most learners at one point or another. Picturing the person behind getting really annoyed at being held up can reduce a learner to a gibbering wreck. It’s so easy to start mind reading other drivers and imagining the worst. In the vast majority of cases there is no truth in this at all. Nearly all drivers will happily wait a few seconds for you to move off so take your time. You’ll always get the odd one who becomes impatient but that’s life.

Trust your driving instructor. No-one is out to get you.

Remember it takes a lot longer to rush, stall the engine, restart the engine and go than it does to move off once at a speed you can manage. Don’t let the tension build at a red light. Check the rear view mirror and you’ll see the driver behind is probably staring into space or picking their nose. Knowing they are not staring you down will go a long way to putting you at ease.

Imagined pressure from behind can also effect decision making. Particularly when emerging at junctions or when confronted by the yellow box at a crossroads. Make sure you wait at T junctions for a gap you are comfortable with. Remember you have every right to be on the road and being a learner doesn’t mean you have to get out of everybody else’s way. If you move out in front of other traffic the person behind won’t be responsible .

Always make sure you can clear the yellow box junction. The pressure you feel to go across is nothing to what you’ll feel if you end up stuck in the junction when the lights change and you’re blocking traffic from the other direction. In this case other drivers might well glare at you. Take it easy.

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