Most people want to be well-read. In fact, many people set reading goals at the beginning of each year. However, we face time constraints to achieve this goal; hence, most people have resorted to audiobooks to bridge their reading deficiency gap. Innovative platforms like Audible ensure you can listen to your favorite books anywhere, including while on the road. 

But how safe is it to listen to audiobooks while driving? Is it another form of dangerous distraction? While multitasking seems unavoidable in modern times, evaluating the impact of listening to audiobooks on the road is essential. 

Distractions on the Road

Distracted driving is hazardous and like an epidemic. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report shows that motorist distraction led to 3,477 deaths and 391,000 injuries in 2015. All hands must be on deck to halt these avoidable ugly incidents; unfortunately, an average of 660,000 Americans use electronic devices daily while driving. 

When distracted behind the wheel, it is almost impossible to respond proactively to hazards. Even if the trouble emanates from you, distraction could blind you from seeing what you are doing wrongly, making it challenging to make amends. Such an accident can be fatal to those involved. 

“Every driver needs to concentrate while on the road because of reckless road users and other potential causes of accidents, such as potholes, narrow turns, or sharp bends,” says attorney Mitchell Feldman of Feldman Legal Group.  Being engrossed in your audiobook can distract you from focusing on the driving exercise, thus creating room for tragedy. 

While science is not clear about the consequences of catching up with one’s favorite story on one’s way to work, a study evaluated driving performance indices like the duration it took drivers to brake for risks in simulated driving exercises. The study revealed that motorists listening to audiobooks on monotonous courses reacted more promptly and drove closer to given speed limits. 

However, they responded more slowly during challenging courses, and the situation worsened when paired with audiobooks. Although some subjects responded quickly during the complicated procedures, such persons already had impeccable multitasking abilities. 

Activating Common Sense

The study shows a wide variation in how individual drivers deal with distractions. While one motorist can listen to the latest thriller and still drive perfectly, another might find it excruciating. You need to take your safety into your own hands because you do not know other road users’ level of awareness and distraction management skills. 

There are bound to be dissenting studies, as with any discourse. We are less concerned about the scientific opinion of listening to audiobooks while driving—whether good or bad. The conclusion is that distraction impairs performance. Also, factors like a driver searching for a particular chapter or having a passenger do it for them also impact the outcome. 

Ultimately, you must be true to yourself; never bite beyond what you can chew. You know how much you can handle anytime you are behind the wheel, do not go beyond that to avoid untold hazards. 

Let common sense prevail! Quickly turn off the audiobook if you can perceive other distractions within your environment. For instance, listening to an audiobook in a complex traffic situation or on a populated route.