Keeping Seniors in the Driver’s Seat
CarFit appointments available for driver safety check & vehicle inspection
May 31, 2019 – Seniors represent the fastest-growing segment of drivers, with current projections suggesting that a quarter of all drivers will be over the age of 65 by 2025. They are the most fragile drivers on the road, resulting in a higher death rate per mile driven than any other group.
To keep senior drivers driving as long as safely possible, AAA and The Owasso Community Center are hosting a CarFit event:
- Friday, June 7th, at The Owasso Community Center – 301 S. Cedar St. from 10am – 1pm
Appointments are required for the free, 20-minute check and can be made by calling (918) 935-9318. CarFit technicians trained by AAA provide a quick, yet comprehensive 12-point check of how well the senior driver’s car “fits” them. Technicians will check
- steering wheel tilt/position,
- distance the driver sits from the steering wheel,
- line of sight above the steering wheel,
- position of the driver to the gas/brake pedal and
- help adjust mirror settings to eliminate blind spots.
CarFit also provides valuable information to seniors that have difficulty:
- Reaching the shoulder harness and buckling/unbuckling the seat belt
- Getting into and out of a vehicle easily
- Turning their head to look over their shoulder while changing lanes
- Sitting comfortably, without knee, back, hip, neck or shoulder stiffness or pain
Senior Driver Statistics
- Seniors aged 65 and over are more than twice as likely as younger drivers to be killed when involved in a crash.
- In 2017, more than 8,000 senior drivers (aged 66 or older) were injured in crashes. These crashes also injured 2,200 senior passengers.
For more information, visit SeniorDriving.AAA.com
