A List Of Things Thrown Five Minutes Ago

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD AND YOUR HANDS UPON THE WHEEL: When the traffic on the autobahn is backed up, German motorists don't think so much about getting off the highway as they think about getting off, according to an important new survey. A third of German drivers in traffic jams distract themselves with thoughts of sex, while 10% think about trying to find a quicker route, another 10% think about their families, 8% worry about their gas, and 7% percent fixate on shopping lists or going to the bathroom or damaging their clutch. (Link via Best Week Ever.)

In other news from the open road, a British road-safety group has tagged Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries" as the most dangerous music to listen to when behind the wheel, while Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me" is the most soothing road music. Here's the top five in each category:

Most dangerous: 1. Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries. 2. The Dies Irae from Verdi's Requiem. 3. Firestarter by the Prodigy. 4. Red Alert by Basement Jaxx. 5. Insomnia by Faithless.

Most soothing: 1. Come Away With Me by Nora Jones. 2. Mad World by Gary Jules. 3. Another Day by Lemar. 4. Too Lost in You by The Sugababes. 5. Breathe Easy by Blue.

(Thanks to Daniel Radosh, whose New Yorker story on a literary agent and the bloggers she loves is all the rage today, for the tip.)