CarFit and Older Americans Month

In May, the country will celebrate Older Americans Month. Originally established by President Kennedy to acknowledge the contributions of seniors, today the Administration on Aging observes the month by emphasizing the needs of the growing number of healthy seniors in our country.

This year, AAA would like to observe Older Americans Month by raising awareness of an issue that is of utmost importance to seniors - transportation. Though transportation comes in many forms - public transit, paratransit and community-based supplemental transportation programs - the ability to drive is inherent to our well-being. People over 65 are the fastest-growing population in the United States. By 2020, there will be more than 40 million licensed drivers ages 65 and older.

While seniors are often the safest drivers because they are less likely to drink and drive, less likely to speed and more likely to wear their seatbelts, science has taught us that the physical and mental changes that accompany aging can make the driving task more challenging and more risky. Moreover, driving today is more difficult than ever because of more traffic, bigger vehicles, and faster speeds. For this reason, it is critically important for mature drivers to make safety a personal priority.

Each of us at some time will have to consider our own ability as a safe driver, but until then things can be done to help ensure seniors can drive for as long as safely possible.

For this reason, AAA continues its efforts related to its association-wide priority issue Lifelong Safe Mobility. Created in 2003 in recognition of the growing number of seniors, AAA is committed to helping seniors stay both safe and mobile by addressing the three components of traffic safety - the road, the user and the vehicle.

Road improvements such as left-hand turn lanes and larger signage have the potential to improve road safety for all road users, but especially seniors. AAA addressed this component of traffic safety by urging Congress to increase funding to make our roads more senior-friendly. To address the user, AAA released a state-of-the-art computer-based screening tool - AAA Roadwise Review - to help seniors evaluate their driving abilities in the privacy of their own homes. This CD-ROM is available at all AAA Central Penn offices at $7.95 for members and $9.95 for non-members.

Finally, in an effort to address the third and final element of traffic safety - the vehicle - AAA is rolling out a new program, CarFit, during the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month. Developed in collaboration with the American Society on Aging, AARP, and the American Occupational Therapy Association, CarFit is an educational program designed to help mature drivers find out how well they “fit” in their vehicles, and what actions might be taken to improve the fit. A proper fit in one’s car will not only make drivers feel more comfortable, but can greatly increase not only the driver’s safety but also the safety of others. Using a 12-point checklist, CarFit educates seniors on properly adjusted head restraints and mirrors, assesses the distance from your steering wheel and the proper seatbelt fit, and much more. The CarFit program also provides specific and practical community resources to help older drivers stay healthy and prolong safe and independent driving.

To learn more about CarFit, please contact your AAA Central Penn office or Dannielle Sherrets, AAA Traffic Safety Research & Analysis Manager at 202-942-2063 or dsherrets@national.aaa.com.