Music and Driving
Listening to loud music while driving can seriously hamper reaction times andcause accidents,new research suggests.
A Canadian study found people took up to 20% longer to perform physical andmental tasks to loud music .If motorists were delayed that long at the wheelthey could suffer a
fatal crash, warned the RAG Foundation,a British motoring organization.EdmundKing,the RAC
Foundation's executive director,said the study showed that"not only isloud music a nuisance to other,it could also be the cause of accidents".
Earlier research by the RAG Foundation found drivers were twice as likely toskip a red light while listening to music.In the Canadian study volunteerscarried out tasks while
listening to levels of noise varying from 53 decibels(equivalent to an officeenvironment)to 95 decibels(equivalent to an oil rig).Researchers foundreactions to be
significantly decreased at higher noise levels for both physical and mentalwork.At 95 decibels reaction times to tasks that involve decision makingplummeted（骤然减少）
by 20%.Edmund King said." The findings of the Canadian study are bad newsfor decibel-loving drivers,as they prove that not only is loud music a nuisanceto others,it could
also be the cause of accidents on the roads."Drivers are at even greaterrisk if they listen to music with a pounding beat rather than more relaxedtunes,according to experts.
Conrad King,consultant psychologist to the foundation,said."It isimportant that drivers choose their music carefully when driving,as up-tempomusic has been shown to
cause drivers to have double the amount of accidents as those listening toslower music."In general,if music is ahove 60 beats per minute,listenersexperience a faster rate and
increased blood pressure."It doesn't matter if you listen toopera,classical or the latest rave music.It's the speed of the beat thatcounts."

Edmund King believes that loud music will do no harm to drivers.

A.Right

B.Wrong

C.Not mentioned