First-Ever Senior Safety Check for Vehicle Fit Helps Keep Seniors Protected While Driving

WASHINGTON--America’s leading senior citizen health and advocacy organizations have created the first in-car safety program to help reduce the number of older Americans injured in car crashes by ensuring a senior’s proper fit in the vehicle. The program, called CarFit^®, is designed to ensure older Americans have properly adjusted their vehicles to help reduce senior crashes and the death and injuries that result. A pilot evaluation found the program is strongly needed by seniors because more than one-third of seniors had at least one safety issue needing to be addressed, early data show.

CarFit was created by the American Society on Aging, in collaboration with AAA, AARP, and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) after more than two years of research and development. As part of Older Americans Month, AAA clubs will unveil CarFit throughout the month of May by offering free car fittings in more than a dozen states, launching a new website and offering free brochures. To learn if a CarFit event is taking place in your area, contact your local club or visit www.aaa.com/carfit.

The U.S. has more than 28 million drivers aged 65 and older on the roads today, with the number expected to surpass 40 million by 2020. More than 191,000 seniors were involved in crashes in 2005, according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). With the exception of teenagers, older Americans have the highest crash death rate per mile driven.

“Although seniors are often the safest drivers in that they are more likely to wear their seatbelts, and less likely to speed or drink and drive, age-related fragility makes them more likely to be injured when a crash does occur,” said Robert Darbelnet, President and CEO of AAA. “Older Americans need to take extra care to ensure that their cars are properly adjusted for them.”

CarFit includes a 12-point check list to ensure that senior drivers are sitting properly in their vehicle and that the driver’s seat, seat belt, mirrors, steering wheel, head rest, gas/brake pedals and other controls are positioned properly. Each CarFit evaluation is administered by specially trained volunteers and health professionals such as occupational therapists.

“Occupational therapists help people improve their ability to perform tasks in their living and working environments,” said AOTA President Penelope Moyers. “A senior who is safer behind the wheel can stay mobile and continue participating in their community, and participation is vital to maintaining good health.”

Each CarFit evaluation takes only 15 minutes, and ensures a proper
"fit" based on the following criteria:

        1. Safety belt use
        2. Steering wheel tilt
        3. Head restraint setting
        4. Positioning to air bag
        5. Line of sight over steering wheel
        6. Positioning to gas pedal
        7. Positioning of brake pedals
        8. Mirror adjustment
        9. Neck Mobility
        10.Operation of parking brake
        11.Operation of ignition key
        12.Operation of other vehicle controls

While many driver safety programs are directed toward improving senior safety by addressing the senior’s cognitive abilities and skills, CarFit is the first program that determines a senior’s proper fit in the vehicle.

A trial version of the program was administered last year with more than 300 senior citizens. The results found that 37 percent of participating seniors had at least one “red flag” issue; 10 percent of seniors did not have the right spacing between their steering wheel and chest; and almost 20 percent did not have the right line of sight over their steering wheel.

“It is a fact of life that our bodies become frailer as we get older and an ill-fitting car can make travel both uncomfortable and unsafe,” said Darbelnet.

To learn more about CarFit log on to www.aaa.com/carfit.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 50 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at www.AAA.com.

The American Occupational Therapy Association, established in 1917, represents nearly 35,000 members. AOTA is an active advocate for the profession and for individuals who can benefit from occupational therapy services.