Here’s info for older drivers.

Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 11:04 pm

I recently participated in a CarFit class for "technicians" as part of my state professional organization’s continuing education annual event. CarFit is a project jointly sponsored by AAA, AARP and AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association). CarFits are held around the country to try to optimize the elderly driver’s fit to their car. Volunteers assess the driver’s knowledge and familiarity with key features of their car. Blind spots are identified. Adaptive equipment or devices may be discussed by an Occupational Therapist. CarFits are completely anonymous. Drivers are not identified by name- so no worries, the purpose is NOT “to take someone’s license”.

Is is okay for me to post a link for more info? It's a dot org.

Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 11:25 pm

Sure Rose Mary, go ahead. That's a huge problem in the US that needs some kind of a solution, and what you are talking about looks like it is at least a step in the right direction. Smile

Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 11:38 pm

Here's the link.

http://www.car-fit.org/

I agree Misha. I think in part, the project may be of the "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" mindset. I think there are many drivers who persist in driving long after the time that they are no longer safe at the wheel. If they are determined to drive anyway, at least they can get some feedback on maximizing safety. I don’t mean to detract from the good, conscientious drivers who participate, but again, I agree there is a problem in the US. I think drivers should be required to periodically “re-qualify” to drive.

Driver Joined: Dec 25, 2009 Posts: 100

CarFits is doing a great work assissiting the older drivers and making them comfortable. Can u please tell me when is the next schedule of it. thank you.

Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 2:52 pm

Here is the link for upcoming events. There aren’t many scheduled. I would suggest joining either AAA or AARP and start petitioning your local representative to contact a CarFit coordinator to schedule an event. If there are no “technicians” trained in your area, then that might be something the coordinator would suggest, to hold a class to train a pool of local volunteer technicians to make holding a CarFit clinic more feasible. Also the coordinator should know how to access the list of volunteers. For example, I should now be in the database as living in the San Antonio area, having completed the technician training and also being an occupational therapist. Here are the links to the upcoming scheduled CarFits:

http://www.car-fit.org/index.php?/carfit/RegisterCarFit
http://www.car-fit.org/carfit/EventMap