Listening to loud music while driving can seriously hamper reaction times and cause accidents, new research suggests.

A Canadian study found people took up to 20% longer to perform physical and mental tasks to loud music.

If motorists were delayed that long at the wheel they could suffer a fatal crash, warned the RAC Foundation, a British motoring organization.

Edmund King, the RAC Foundation's executive director, said the study showed that "not only is loud music a nuisance to others, it could also be the cause of accidents".

Earlier research by the RAC Foundation found drivers were twice as likely to skip a red light while listening to music.

In the Canadian study volunteers carried out tasks while listening to levels of noise varying from 53 decibels (equivalent to an office environment) to 95 decibels (equivalent to an oil rig).

Researchers found reactions to be significantly decreased at higher noise levels for both physical and mental work.

At 95 decibels reaction times to tasks that involve decision making plummeted by 20%.

Edmund King said: "The findings of the Canadian study are bad news for decibel-loving drivers, as they prove that not only is loud music a nuisance to others, it could also be the cause of accidents on the roads."

Drivers are at even greater risk if they listen to music with a pounding beat rather than more relaxed tunes, according to experts.

Conrad King, consultant psychologist to the foundation, said: "It is important that drivers choose their music carefully when driving, as up-tempo music has been shown to cause drivers to have double the amount of accidents as those listening to slower music.

"In general, if music is above 60 beats per minute, listeners experience a faster heart rate and increased blood pressure.

"It doesn't matter if you listen to opera, classical or the latest rave music. It's the speed of the beat that counts."

(Agencies)