There's nothing like cruising the open road with your favorite music bumping from the speakers. Although traditional AM/FM radio was once the go-to for most drivers, new streaming services like Pandora and Spotify are quickly gaining steam as the popular choice for young people who want to listen to music while they're driving.
According to a recent study from the NPD Group, people under the age of 35 typically spend about one-quarter of their weekly music listening time using online radio services. This is up from 17 percent just a year ago and now is equal to the amount of time they spend listening to traditional radio, which is rapidly decreasing in use.
About 20 percent of people who take advantage of Pandora and iHeartRadio, two of the most popular streaming radio services, do so while driving, the study shows. Of those individuals who regularly use these music programs, more than half say they do most of their listening in cars, and many of these motorists access the music on smartphones or other mobile devices.
While this allows them to get music in any location, it also means they have to have some kind of adaptor to connect the device to the vehicle. There are a few tools that drivers can use to hook up their phones to car speakers, but some more recent models of automobiles are equipped with USB adaptors, charging stations and phone docks that are ready for all kinds of smartphones.
Drivers looking to buy their next vehicle, complete with a wide range of music capabilities, can find a number of safe options at New Jersey State Auto Auction, which carries a wide selection of CARFAX certified used cars, trucks and SUVs.