A Swedish insurance company has launched its own radio station designed to keep drivers calm behind the wheel and reduce the risk of collisions linked to road rage and aggressive driving.

Radionytt.se reports that the digital station, called Carmony Radio, has been developed using research into how music can influence mood, concentration and stress levels. Insurer Folksam says the service aims to help motorists regulate their emotions during challenging driving situations, from rush-hour congestion to long motorway journeys.

The initiative follows research commissioned by the insurer which found that three-quarters of Swedish drivers admitted becoming angry or behaving aggressively in traffic over the past year. Nearly half reported encountering aggressive behaviour from other road users every week, while more than four in ten said they had experienced a near-miss that they associated with aggressive driving.

Folksam worked with a psychologist and composer to create the station’s soundtrack. The music has been tailored to different driving environments and is intended to reduce stress, improve focus and encourage calmer behaviour behind the wheel.

Anders Kullgren, Folksam’s Head of Research, said emotions such as anger can have a significant impact on road safety by affecting judgement, decision-making and reaction times. He said helping drivers remain calm could contribute to reducing dangerous situations on the road.

The insurer’s survey also found that 58% of drivers felt it was easier to become irritated while driving than in everyday life, while 21% believed they became a worse version of themselves when behind the wheel. Folksam hopes the new radio station will help address this often-overlooked aspect of road safety and ultimately contribute to fewer crashes.

(Picture – Highways News mock-up)