Research Reveals Top Distractions for Drivers
With nearly 9 in 10 (86 per cent)[1] surveyed parents saying they’re planning on taking a trip during the winter break, Allianz Australia is urging families to take extra care on the drive home – especially in the final week of the school holidays, when thousands are expected to hit the roads with children in the car.
Australian parents often find driving with children to be chaotic (42 per cent)[2], with constant snack requests (57 per cent) and backseat squabbles between siblings (49 per cent)[3] contributing to the challenge. As a result, nearly three quarters of surveyed parents (73 per cent)[4]have admitted to frequently encountering distractions that can hinder their focus on the road.
Recent research commissioned by Allianz Australia has found that listening to upbeat music while driving contributes to distractions, with 39 per cent[5] of parents more likely to catch themselves speeding as a result.
Among those surveyed, 60 per cent[6] admitted that the type of children's music they play impacts their driving behaviour. The most distracting songs include "Baby Shark" (53 per cent), "Wheels on the Bus" (28 per cent), and "Old McDonald’s Farm" (20 per cent)[7].
Music’s effect on parents’ alertness
Fast-paced music, particularly songs with over 120 beats per minute (BPM), was found to significantly impair driving performance[8]. Among surveyed parents, 48 per cent reported that fast paced music affects their overall concentration, with specific impacts on speed (42 per cent), ability to focus (36 per cent), alertness (31 per cent), and reaction time (22 per cent)[9].
In contrast, slower music – ranging between 60–80 BPM – was found to have a beneficial effect, with 50 per cent of parents saying it helps them stay relaxed, 44 per cent feel calmer, and 41 per cent maintaining better focus while driving[10]. Additionally, when children under 10 were surveyed, 52 per cent[11] expressed feelings of distress when their parents drive erratically or exhibit aggressive behavior towards other drivers.
Supporting this research, Allianz Australia's claims data shows a rise in motor collisions during the Winter school holidays, with claims costs increasing by $4 million[12] compared to the Autumn period. Specifically, motor claims totaled $48 million during the 2024 Winter school holiday period alone[13].
The research also revealed that nearly 4 in 10 (38 per cent)[14] parents dread the long drive, and 49 per cent[15] admit they are more likely to zone out during extended trips – highlighting the need for increased focus on road safety awareness.
Care gets you home
With 27 per cent[16] of parents driving between 2-3hrs, Allianz Australia is encouraging drivers this school holiday to take care as they prepare to head home by using Allianz Seat Belters. An in-app experience within Spotify that uses its streaming intelligence to curate personalised playlists that feature only low-tempo tracks, fostering a calmer driving atmosphere for both parents and their children.
Parenting and travel creator, Sophie Pearce commented on the initiative, saying “As a busy mum of three currently travelling around Australia with my family, I know firsthand how chaotic long car trips can get, especially when the kids are tired or hungry. That’s why I love what Allianz is doing with Allianz Seat Belters. Having a personalised playlist that keeps the mood mellow makes a real difference, not just for the kids but us parents too.”
Preparing for the holidays
As families prepare for the holidays, Allianz encourages all drivers – especially parents – to consider how their music choices can impact their driving behaviours, and consider using Allianz Seat Belters to help them drive home more carefully.
“Allianz is committed to helping Australians prevent accidents before they occur,” said Laura Halbert, General Manager at Allianz Australia. “As holidays come to an end, and with the homeward journey in mind, we want to give parents a simple tool to help them stay focused and ensure the safety of their loved ones.”
“Our motor claims data shows that parents need to take extra care during the winter holidays, as wetter roads and darker evenings may contribute to an increase in incidents compared to autumn,” Laura concluded.
To access and create your own personalised Allianz Seat Belters playlist, please scan the QR code or visit https://open.spotify.com/site/allianz on your mobile device.
- [1] 86% of surveyed parents are planning to travel by car with their children/ stepchildren during the July/winter school holidays. 14% state they are not planning on travelling over the July/winter school holidays
- [2] When asked if they find driving with children chaotic, 42% of surveyed parents agreed, 27% felt neutral and 31% disagreed.
- [3] The most common distractions include snack requests (57%), crying (55%), fighting or squabbling (49%), turning around to check on them (40%), too much talking (35%) and kids music (33%). Followed by kids asking for a toilet stop (32%), throwing toys around (28%), kids not feeling well/experiencing motion sickness (23%), loud phones or apps (19%), kids taking off their seatbelt (17%), adult music (12%), and music with a high BPM (3%).
- [4] 73% of surveyed parents find that driving with children/ stepchildren can create a range of distractions that can compromise their attention on the road. 28% stated they don’t find it can create distractions.
- [5] When asked if they agree, disagree or feel neutral towards the statement “when listening to upbeat music, I am more likely to catch myself speeding”, 39% agreed, 23% felt neutral, and 38% disagreed.
- [6] 60% of parents feel that the type of children’s music they play might impact their speed, alertness, and/or general driving behaviour. 40% stated they don’t feel an impact.
- [7] Followed by Row, Row, Row Your Boat (18%), Hot Potato (16%), Hokey Pokey (15%), Incy Wincy Spider (15%), Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (14%), Bananas in Pyjamas (13%), Big Red Car (13%), and Fruit Salad (13%).
- [8] References:
- Karageorghis, C. I., et al. (2022). Interactive effects of task load and music tempo on psychological, psychophysiological, and behavioural outcomes during simulated driving. Ergonomics, 65(7), 915–932. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2021.2003872
- Wen, H., et al. (2019). Effect of Music Listening on Physiological Condition, Mental Workload, and Driving Performance with Consideration of Driver Temperament. IJERPH, 16(15), 2766. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16152766
- [9] Followed by their ability to drive calmly (21%), ability to park (16%), and ability to change lanes (11%)
- [10] When it comes to slower-paced music and parents who are impacted (48%), 50% of surveyed parents said it helps them stay relaxed, while 44% said it helps them stay calm, and 41% said it helps them stay focused. Others reported it improves their concentration (27%) and attention levels (16%).
- [11] Just over half of surveyed children aged 10 years and under (52%) said they find it distressing when their parent drives erratically or abuses other drivers. 48% said they do not.
- [12] Allianz Australia claims data shows motor collision claims totalled $34 million during the Autumn 2024 school holidays, rising to $38 million during the Winter 2024 school holidays.
- [13] Allianz Australia reported $48 million in motor claims during the Winter 2024 school holidays.
- [14] When asked if they agree, feel neutral or disagree with the following statement” I dread long drives with my children”, 38% agreed, 27% are neutral and 35% disagree.
- [15] When it comes to zoning out during long drives, 49% of parents agreed, 25% felt neutral and 26% disagreed.
- [16] Of the surveyed parents who are planning to travel, 30% will travel between 1-2 hours, 27% will travel between 2-3 hours and 16% 3-4 hours. Additionally, 13% will travel for less than 1 hour, 7% will travel for 4-5 hours, 5% will travel for 6 or more hours and 2% for 5-6 hours.
- [17] Followed by 42 per cent who state they don’t believe fast paced music has an impact on their driving.
- [18] 27% felt neutral, and 38% disagreed.
- [19] 35% of parents agree with this statement, 26% feel neutral and 39% disagree.
