Taylor Swift, Drake und Kendrick Lamar in Verbindung mit mehreren tödlichen Verkehrsunfällen

Taylor Swift, Drake and Kendrick Lamar have been linked to a surge in traffic fatalities in the United States following the release of highly anticipated albums, according to new research published by Harvard University. The study found a notable increase in fatal car accidents during days when major albums were released on streaming platforms, with the effect being particularly pronounced among younger drivers. The research compared data on traffic fatalities during the days of releases of ten of the most streamed albums between 2017 and 2022, against data from ten days before and after these releases. Among the albums studied were Taylor Swift’s Midnights and Red (Taylor's Version), Drake’s Certified Lover Boy, Scorpion and Her Loss, and Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. Other albums included Harry Styles’ Harry's House, Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti, and Kanye West’s Donda. Spotify data showed that days of major album releases saw an average of 123.3 million streams, while surrounding days recorded approximately 86.1 million. Simultaneously, the number of traffic fatalities averaged 139.1 per day during these periods, compared to 120.9 in the comparable timeframe. This represents an estimated 15 percent increase, or around 182 additional deaths over the ten-day period. Researchers suggest the link could be primarily due to the use of smartphones and devices, which keep users constantly connected. Drivers might reach for their phones to stream new albums, adjust volume, or be distracted by the excitement of a long-awaited release, potentially leading to reduced awareness of their surroundings or impaired driving conditions. The connection was most pronounced with albums by Canadian rapper Drake. Researchers noted a significant rise in traffic fatalities following the release of three of his albums, whereas the impact of Taylor Swift’s albums was less noticeable. In contrast, the release of Kanye West’s Donda had almost no measurable effect on traffic fatality rates. Lead author Vishal Patel, who conceived the idea based on personal experience, described how he nearly caused an accident while driving after receiving a message from his wife urging him to listen to a newly released track. He glanced at his phone, lost focus, and nearly left his lane. “That moment made me realize how just one second more looking away from the road could mean a serious accident,” he told the Harvard Gazette. He then considered what might happen if millions of people did the same, especially on the day of a major album release. “The overall risk on the roads would have to be enormous,” he concluded. The researchers observed that the rise in fatalities was more pronounced among solo drivers and younger drivers, who frequently use streaming services. They also noted an increase in incidents among sober drivers during the day, suggesting that the distraction factor extends beyond nighttime driving. “These findings indicate that music streaming via smartphones is associated with impaired attention while driving and increased traffic fatalities,” the authors wrote. Patel warns that the issue could worsen in the future. “Smartphones have dramatically expanded what we can do while driving. As cars become increasingly connected, the attempt to divide our attention will only grow more common,” he cautioned.