Bang Your Head

Classical music can be dangerous while driving.

So, grab your cellphone, your Big Mac, and your soda, and turn down that radio. Or pick up your Norah.

LONDON, England (AP) -- When Richard Wagner composed his powerful "Ride of the Valkyries" in the 1850s, he surely wasn't thinking of any danger he was posing to 21st-century motorists.

Britain's RAC Foundation for Motoring on Wednesday named the strident classical piece the No. 1 tune not to play while driving, based on research it says shows loud music can cause accidents.

The "Dies Irae" from Giuseppe Verdi's "Requiem" was also considered a no-no.

The top five list of tunes to avoid while behind the wheel was rounded out by three modern songs -- "Firestarter" by the Prodigy, "Red Alert" by Basement Jaxx and "Insomnia" by Faithless.

To help music-loving motorists, the foundation also provided a top five list of songs that may safely be played while driving, "albeit quietly."

Norah Jones' smash hit "Come Away with Me" was deemed calm enough, as was "Mad World" by Gary Jules. Other songs on the safe list were "Another Day" by R&B singer Lemar, "Too Lost in You" by girl group The Sugababes and "Breathe Easy" by boy band Blue.

Wow, these same people could make a list of music to work out to just by expanding "what not to drive to."

I used to do transcription for insurance claims as a college job. Car accident statements often contained questions like, "Were you smoking, eating, or drinking at the time of the accident?" "Were both hands on the wheel?" This was before the prevalence of cell phones. Now, expect "What song was playing on your stereo at the time of the accident? Were you talking about that song with Aunt Sadie at the time?"

I guess. Watch CNN.com. The next article will be: "Road Rage: It's not your fault. Blame Wagner."

hln

Posted by hln at April 15, 2004 07:28 AM | Whimsy | TrackBack