Distracted driving songs

For many Aussie drivers, selecting the right music before getting in the car has become second nature, akin to putting on a seatbelt.

But this common habit can impact your ability to stay focussed behind the wheel, and as a car insurance comparison service, we at iSelect understand firsthand how important it is to limit distractions on the road.

So how much can the music we listen to influence our attention while driving? To find out, we analysed a playlist of Australia’s current top 50 songs on Spotify, assessing each track across the following four factors:

1. Beats per minute (BPM)
2. Energy level
3. Danceability
4. Loudness

Using these factors, we were able to determine an ultimate distraction score. Read on to find out which songs can put drivers most at risk on the roads!

What are the most distracting chart-toppers for drivers?

The top gong on our ranking goes to “Victory Lap” by Fred Again, Skepta and Plaqueboymax, with an index score of 8.64. This tune tops our index for danceability (we could have told you that!) with a score of 89 out of 100. The song from the three British artists records 140 beats per minute (BPM), typical of a UK rap song, and a loudness of -3 dB, making it the equal second loudest in our rankings.

Second on our list is “I Run” by HAVEN. and Kaitlin Aragon. This electronic dance track is bumped up by its high loudness (-3 dB) and energy scores (82 out of 100). The song, which uses artificial intelligence-generated vocals, could be distracting to drivers with its index score of 7.91.

In tied third place, with an index score of 7.50, we have “12 to 12” by sombr and “Opalite” by Taylor Swift. “12 to 12” records a chart-topping score of 90 out of 100 for energy, as anyone who has been caught humming along to this break-up tune would understand. Swift’s “Opalite,” from her latest album The Life of a Showgirl, is in the upper bracket for both energy (score of 82 out of 100) and danceability (score of 81 out of 100).

What are the least distracting trending tunes?

For those looking to enjoy top hits and have a safe journey on the roads, they need look no further than Gigi Perez’s “Sailor Song”. The viral TikTok tune has the lowest distraction score in our index, at 0.78. It was the equal quietest track on our index at -10 dB (along with “Aperture” by Harry Styles, “Dreams – 2004 Remaster” by Fleetwood Mac, “Every Breath You Take” by The Police and “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” by Billie Eilish) and has the second lowest energy score at 39 out of 100. These factors, along with its low BPM of 95, mean the indie folk song is less likely to be a distraction, but is nonetheless great to belt your heart out to.

Moving to the Grammy-winning Best New Artist of 2026, Olivia Dean’s “Let Alone the One You Love” is the second least distracting song on our list with a score of 1.25. The R&B ballad has the second lowest BPM on our index at 82 (tied with “Die On This Hill” by SIENNA SPIRO), only behind “The Great Divide” by Noah Kahan at 81 BPM. This The Art of Loving track also records a relatively low energy score of 42 out of 100, the fourth lowest on our list.

Speaking of SIENNA SPIRO, her tune “Die On This Hill” comes in at third place for least distracting songs, tied with Beson Boone’s “Beautiful Things”. “Die On This Hill’s” lower BPM, energy (score of 43 out of 100) and danceability (score of 52 out of 100) all contribute to its index score of 2.29. Conversely, “Beautiful Things” has a higher BPM (105) but is slightly quieter (-6 dB).