CarFit Event Promotes Safety for Older Drivers

AARP and the Hawaii Occupational Therapy Association are sponsoring a free CarFit event in partnership with AAA at Kaimuki High School on Saturday, April 6 (8 a.m. – noon). The event teaches older drivers to adjust their vehicles for maximum safety and comfort on the road. It’s free and open to the public but registration is requested. Call toll-free 1-888-926-8300 or register online http://bit.ly/127TIlp.

CarFit is an educational program created by the American Society on Aging and developed in collaboration with AARP, the American Automobile Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association. Its purpose is to help older drivers find out how well their vehicles “fit” them, demonstrate ways to improve comfort and safety, and promote conversations about driver safety and community mobility.

Older drivers are more likely to wear their seat belts and less likely to drink and drive, but they are more likely to be seriously injured or killed in car crashes. Drivers can improve their safety by ensuring that their cars are properly adjusted for them. Learn more about the CarFit Exam 12-Point Checklist at http://bit.ly/eZUCad.

What kind of adjustments are part of the CarFit Checklist?

1. Plenty of room between driver’s chest and the front airbag and steering wheel
2. Properly adjusted head restraints
3. Easy access to gas and brake pedals
4. A safety belt that stays in the proper position and remains comfortable as you drive
5. Properly positioned side and rearview mirrors

 

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for people 50+ with 148,000 members in Hawaii. We fight on issues that matter to Hawaii’s families – including the high cost of long-term care and access to affordable, quality health care for all generations; provide tools needed to save for retirement and protect assets; and serve as a reliable information source on issues critical to older Americans.