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Study Links 15.1% Fatality Rise to Album Release Days

8/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Harvard researcher Dr Vishal Patel reported a 15.1% rise in U.S. traffic fatalities on album release days.
The study of ten albums released 2017-2022, including Taylor Swift’s Midnights (21 Oct 2022), found Spotify streams 43% higher on those dates.
Patel said the study, which found about 182 deaths among younger male solo drivers and cars with built-in infotainment, does not directly link smartphone use and urged streaming platforms to add pre-drive alerts.

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Story summary

Harvard researcher Dr Vishal Patel reported a 15.1% rise in U.S. traffic fatalities on album release days.
The study of ten albums released 2017-2022, including Taylor Swift’s Midnights (21 Oct 2022), found Spotify streams 43% higher on those dates.
Patel said the study, which found about 182 deaths among younger male solo drivers and cars with built-in infotainment, does not directly link smartphone use and urged streaming platforms to add pre-drive alerts.