Abstract:

Music listening while driving is a popular activity. The arousal theory predicts that music can lead to a more optimal arousal level which could benefit driving vigilance. However, following the central capacity theory, music can also distract the driver and pose danger on the road. Dynamic model, which integrated the existing researches, pointed out that music had an arousal or distractive influence on driving vigilance depending on the complexity of music, the demands of driving situation and the difference between drivers. Later, the compensatory theory highlighted that drivers’ self-regulations were the key to restoring the dynamic equilibrium. In the future, researchers need to focus on the studies in the fields of how to measure drivers’ mental workload, how to develop smart car music system as well as how to design some training programs for drivers.

Key words: music, driving vigilance, arousal, distraction, dynamic model