It’s that jolly time of year again where the holiday spirit is here and so are our favorite Christmas songs, but did you know that certain ones can be dangerous while driving?
According to research by the Irish car insurance provider Chill Insurance and the South China University of Technology, songs with more than 120 beats per minute (BPM) are linked to dangerous driving.
“You probably shouldn’t be driving when you’re listening to it, that’s what I would suggest and ask your cardiologist,” said local driver, Elizabeth Hanna.
The tune in the top spot is ‘Frosty the Snowman’ by Gene Autry with 172 BPM.
Up next, ‘All I Want For Christmas by Mariah Carey that clocks 150 BPM.
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Experts say high BPMs are connected to more stressful temperaments in drivers.
So, WACH FOX sat down with two radio hosts to find out what the top song requests have been for people here in the Midlands.
“We get the same songs obviously, year after year,” said Amy Reed with Fox 102.3 & ALT 99.7. “One of the biggest ones, especially on the rock side of the brand of the building is Arlo Guthrie’s ‘Alice’s Restaurant.’”
And to the surprise of very few
“It’s a lot of the same, you get Mariah Carey, it is Mariah season darling,” said Croghan with Live 93.5. “Everything is from the McDonald’s menu you see her there as soon as you order your Big Mac or whatever, it is Mariah Carey everything.”
For those of you wondering, here’s the list of the top 10 safest songs to drive to:
1. ‘Fairytale of New York’ by The Pogues (78 BPM)
2. ‘Santa Baby’ by Eartha Kitt (84 BPM)
3. ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’ by Julie Andrews (87 BPM)
4. ‘Wonderful Christmastime’ by Paul McCartney (95 BPM)
5. ‘It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas’ by Michael Buble (95 BPM)
6. ‘Last Christmas’ by WHAM! (108 BPM)
7. ‘Winter Wonderland’ by Dean Martin (111 BPM)
8. ‘The Little Drummer Boy’ by Bing Crosby (113 BPM)
9. ‘One More Sleep’ by Leona Lewis (113 BPM)
10. ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’ by Band Aid (115 BPM)
Here’s the full list of the top 10 most dangerous:
1. ‘Frosty the Snowman’ by Gene Autry (172 BPM)
2. ‘All I want For Christmas’ by Mariah Carey (150 BPM)
3. ‘Feliz Navidad’ by José Feliciano (149 BPM)
4. ‘Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town’ by Jackson 5 (147 BPM)
5. ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’ by John Lennon and Yoko Ono (146 BPM)
6. ‘Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!’ by Frank Sinatra (143 BPM)
7. ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ by Gene Autry (142 BPM)
8. ‘I Wish it Could be Christmas Every Day’ by Wizzard (140 BPM)
9. ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ by Judy Garland (137 BPM)
10. ‘I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus’ by Jackson 5 (129 BPM)
So, enjoy the music but don't let the beat distract you, we want you all to have a safe holiday season!