News Release
For Immediate Release: September 1, 2009
Contact Person: Diane Lee, Public Information Officer, 301-334-7730
Garrett County Health Department
Hosts Free Program To Help Seniors Drive Safely
CARFIT® Evaluation Ensures Seniors Find Their Best Fit
Seniors in Garrett County can receive free vehicle “fittings” on September 9 at the Garrett County Health Department. The CarFit ® program is being provided in cooperation with Garrett Rehab Services and the Mid-Atlantic Foundation for Traffic Safety and Education, an affiliate of AAA Mid-Atlantic.
The CarFit® program is from 1-4 p.m. at the Health Department in parking lot D. Individual appointments take about 20 minutes and are scheduled every half hour. To schedule an appointment, contact Betty Burgess at 301-334-7730 or 301-895-8111.
CarFit® was created by the American Society on Aging, in collaboration with AAA, AARP, and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). The program is designed to help reduce crashes, deaths and injuries among older American drivers by properly adjusting their vehicles.
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 occupational therapists.
“Seniors may be more likely to wear their seatbelts, and less likely to speed or drink and drive. However, due to age-related fragilities, they are more likely to be seriously injured if a crash occurs,” said Ragina C. Averella, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “CarFit® provides specific adaptations for each person and the vehicle they drive to help ensure a good fit and better safety.”
The U.S. has more than 29 million drivers aged 65 and older. That number is expected to surpass 40 million by 2020. In 2006, according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA], 202,000 seniors were involved in crashes. With the exception of teenagers, older Americans have the highest crash death rate per mile driven.
For more information about CarFit® program, to register to become a CarFit® technician or to schedule an appointment call 301-334-7730 or 301-895-3111 and ask for Health Education.