New albums trigger deadly spike in distracted driving crashes, study reveals
A new study has found a troubling link between major music releases and road deaths. Researchers discovered that album launch days see a sharp rise in car crashes. The spike appears tied to increased smartphone use while driving.
The study, titled Smartphones, Online Music Streaming, and Traffic Fatalities, was published by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Scientists examined data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System alongside Spotify streaming figures between 2017 and 2022. Their findings showed a 15% increase in traffic deaths on days when high-profile albums dropped.
On these release days, smartphone activity behind the wheel jumped by 40%. The most-streamed album during the study period was Taylor Swift's Midnights, which racked up 184 million plays in a single day. Other top artists included Drake, Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, Harry Styles, and Kanye West.
Crashes were more frequent among solo drivers, suggesting passengers may help reduce distractions by managing music devices. Fatalities also rose more on clear-weather days and among sober motorists, indicating that safer conditions might encourage riskier behaviour. Even though albums often launch on Fridays—a day already prone to higher crash rates—the increase remained significant compared to other Fridays.
Swift's later album, The Tortured Poets Department, went on to break her own streaming record with 300 million plays in a day.
The research highlights a measurable risk tied to music streaming while driving. With major releases drawing millions of listeners, the study points to a need for greater awareness of distractions behind the wheel. The findings also suggest that passengers could play a role in reducing accidents by handling devices for drivers.
