High-tempo music and heightened emotional stress are significant contributors to a 10% average increase in car crashes on Valentine’s Day, with fatal accidents rising by 14%. The combination of romantic pressure and high-energy music creates a “perfect storm” for reckless driving behaviors.
A new analysis from Suzuki Law Offices highlights a connection between emotionally charged music, elevated stress, and a measurable rise in Valentine’s Day traffic fatalities. Drawing on federal crash records and behavioral research, the study examines how music tempo and emotional states influence driver performance on one of the most sentiment driven days of the year.
A Five Year Look at Valentine’s Day Crash Data
Between 2019 and 2023, federal crash records show 405 fatalities on Valentine’s Day. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that fatal crashes are 4 percent more likely on February 14 than on an average day.
Emotional distraction plays a significant role. Across the month of February during those five years, 61 fatalities were attributed to emotionally distracted drivers. Of those, 14 occurred on Valentine’s Day, despite the month typically having some of the lowest crash totals of the year.
Emotional Distraction Fatalities on Valentine’s Day
| Year | Emotional Distraction Fatalities |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 1 |
The year 2020 again stands out, with 101 total Valentine’s Day fatalities and 12 February emotional distraction deaths, half of which occurred on the holiday.
Emotional Driving Is Widespread
Survey data included in the study show that emotional driving is not a rare behavior. A March 2025 survey found that 62 percent of Americans have cried in their car.
Breakdown by gender:
- Men: 47 percent
- Women: 76 percent
Breakdown by age:
- 18 to 29: 54 percent
- 30 to 44: 61 percent
- 45 to 64: 71 percent
- 65 and older: 57 percent
Breakdown by race:
- White: 66 percent
- Black: 48 percent
- Hispanic: 62 percent
Breakdown by region:
- Northeast: 58 percent
- Midwest: 62 percent
- South: 59 percent
- West: 68 percent
Political breakdown:
- Harris voters: 73 percent
- Trump voters: 59 percent
The study also notes that 11 percent of Americans say sad music specifically makes them more likely to cry while driving.
Music Tempo Strongly Influences Driving Behavior
Several academic studies cited in the analysis show that music tempo can alter driver behavior in measurable ways.
Key findings include:
- Drivers listening to songs above 120 BPM tend to increase speed by 10 to 20 miles per hour
- High tempo music increases lane switching and speed limit violations
- Emotional or nostalgic songs increase cognitive distraction
- Songs with lyrics reduce concentration on complex tasks by up to 25 percent
- Loud or fast music can slow reaction times by up to 20 percent
These effects mirror the behaviors seen in distracted driving crashes, which totaled 400,000 incidents in 2024.
Most Dangerous Songs for Emotional Drivers
The study identifies 10 songs with both high emotional content and high BPM. These tracks combine fast tempo with strong emotional themes, creating conditions that can impair reaction time and increase risky driving behaviors.
Safer Low BPM Songs Still Carry Emotional Risk
Songs under 80 BPM are less likely to provoke aggressive driving, but they can still trigger emotional responses that distract drivers. Examples include:
- “River” by Joni Mitchell
- “Without You” by Harry Nilsson
- “The Rose” by Bette Midler
- “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars
Why Valentine’s Day Amplifies These Risks
Valentine’s Day is a holiday closely tied to emotional intensity. The study suggests that drivers may be more likely to:
- Reflect on relationships
- Listen to sentimental or nostalgic music
- Experience heightened stress
- Become lost in thought
- React more slowly to road hazards
These factors align with the elevated number of emotional distraction fatalities recorded on February 14.
A Data Driven Look at a Sentimental Holiday
The findings compiled show that emotional states and music choices can significantly influence driver safety. The combination of sentimental music, heightened emotions, and winter road conditions creates a measurable increase in crash risk on Valentine’s Day.
