LightGrams
August 27, 2026
Volume 30, Number 30
A study was recently released which finds a connection between fatal car crashes and the release of eagerly anticipated music albums. The study comes from Harvard Medical School and covers music releases from 2017 through 2022. They focused on ultra popular artists like Taylor Swift, Drake, and Bad Bunny.
233,809 fatal traffic accidents were studied. The team, headed by Dr. Vishal Patel, focused on fatal crashes on the day of the albums’ release, but also the 10 days before and after those dates. What they found was that fatal accidents rose 15.1% on those release days, likely because people were working to play the new album on their car’s stereo as they drove.
The study is one more affirmation of a principle we’ve been hearing for the last several years: distracted driving is dangerous. Listening to music while driving is not the issue, but fiddling with the smart phone to play the music is. It’s why 33 states in the U.S. have hands-free driving laws. It’s not smart to put on makeup, read a book while driving, or a host of other things that pull our attention away from operating a 2-ton vehicle along narrow roads at high speeds.
On the evening that Jesus was arrested, He appealed to His apostles to “watch with Me” (Matthew 26:38). It was critical that Jesus remain focused on His mission; otherwise, fear might pull Him off course. But those apostles didn’t heed Jesus’s further advice: “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptations. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). By not keeping their attention on the events at hand, the disciples all deserted Jesus. One even denied Him three times!
Years later Paul would write this warning to followers of Jesus of all times: “Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober” (1Thessalonians 5:6). He wasn’t referring to physical sleep, but to spiritual dullness and distraction. It’s vital that we “watch” while we’re driving, but even more vital that we stay awake and watch while living.
A good beginning to a spiritual life doesn’t take away the need to stay focused. Jesus told the Parable of the Sower and noted the seed growing among the weeds. What was His point? “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22).
Let’s be honest in our self-examination: How distracted are we when it comes to living our lives for Christ? Do we truly “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33), or do we get more excited when our favorite singer releases a new album? It’s OK to enjoy the music, but by all means let’s stay focused on our most serious tasks!
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2026, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
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