The Arbitron National In-Car Study finds that 96% of those who have driven or ridden in a car in the past month have used the car radio. 58% have used the CD player, 55% a cell phone, and 47% a cassette player. More than 80% of 35-64 year olds say they spend most of their time with radio.
Highlights of the Arbitron National In-Car Study
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Americans are in their cars an average of 15 hours per week, up 14% from 1990 to 2000.
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The average commute to work is now 51 minutes round trip.
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39% say they spend more time in the car now than a year ago.
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The greatest percentage of increase in time-spent-commuting is often in small and medium size markets.
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In-car listening averages 2 hours and 12 minutes weekdays, and 2 hours and five minutes weekends.
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Men spend more time in cars on weekdays. It's about even between men and women on weekends.
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Since 1999 in-car radio listening has increased.
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43% say they leave their car radio set to one station.
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Almost all in-car listening is to pre-set stations. People rarely change their pre-sets.
A great deal of shopping occurs on the drive home from work. Afternoon commercials on radio can produce immediate results.
