Survey notes rise in MP3 player usage while driving

NEW YORK Drug stores should get involved in the consumer electronics game, as the number of people who listen to an iPod or MP3 player continues to rise.

According to a survey of 1,753 people ages 12 years and older, 24% of people have listened to music devices while connected to a car stereo, survey conductors from Arbitron and Edison Research revealed. Additionally, the new national study showed that 44% of all Americans ages 12 years and older own an iPod or MP3 player. Among that group, 54% have connected their players for listening in the car.

“The car is clearly a crucial battleground for people’s attention, and our study shows that most of those who do listen in this fashion do so more than once a week,” said Larry Rosin, Edison Research president.

This is the 18th in a series of studies Arbitron and Edison have conducted since 1998 on topics relating to the Internet and new media.