CarFit Event Steers Older Drivers to Safety

AARP Hawaii and the Hawaii Occupational Therapy Association are sponsoring a free CarFit event in partnership with AAA Hawaii at Kaimuki High School on Saturday, November 1 (8 a.m. – noon). The event is designed to give older drivers a comprehensive check of how well they ‘fit’ their vehicle. It takes about 20 minutes to complete the checklist. The event is free and open to the public but registration is requested - call 545-6007.

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. Check out the CarFit Exam 12-Point Checklist to learn more about what changes can be made to help you “fit” your vehicle.

What kind of adjustments are part of the CarFit Checklist?

• Clear line of sight over the steering wheel – at least three inches above the wheel
• Plenty of room between our chest and the front airbag and steering wheel
• A seat you fit in comfortably
• Properly adjusted head restraints
• Easy access to gas and brake pedals
• A safety belt that holds you in the proper position and remains comfortable as you drive
• Properly positioned side and rearview mirrors

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with nearly 150,000 members in Hawaii. AARP helps people turn goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities, and fights for the issues that matter most to families – including healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities, and protection from financial abuse.