Monday, October 18, 1999; Page A12

The Soothing Effect of Traffic A healthy percentage of American motorists, including more than half of those younger than 35, say they view their commutes as a quiet time for reflection and say they enjoy the solitude of driving, according to a recent survey. Percent of drivers responding to statement, "Driving is my time to think and enjoy being alone."   Total * Agree                 45% Disagree             30% Neutral               24% Refused/ — don't know SEX Men       Women 44%       45% 29%       31% 25%       23% 2%         1% AGE 18-34       35-54       55+ 52%         16%        36% 24%         25%         43% 24%         28%         20% 0%           1%           1% INCOME                                 Less than                                 $25,000 Agree                     42% Disagree                 35% Neutral                   22% Refused/                 1% don't know $25,000 to $50,000   45% 26% 27% 2% $50,000+   49% 25% 26% 0% * Does not total 100 percent because of rounding. Source: Based on a nationally representative sample of adults surveyed by Maritz Marketing Research of Fenton, Mo., in August 1997.