| As the American Automobile Association (AAA) | | | | American Occupational Therapy Association |
| announces a new program to help reduce senior | | | | (AOTA). As part of Older Americans Month, AAA |
| crashes and the injuries and deaths that | | | | clubs will be unveiling Car Fit throughout |
| result, the said organization is urging the | | | | May by providing information to seniors or |
| adult children of older Americans to use the | | | | offering free Car Fit evaluations. Each |
| upcoming Mother's Day on May 12, 2007 and | | | | evaluation in the program (Car Fit) is |
| Father's Day on June 17 to talk to their | | | | administered by especially trained volunteers |
| aging parents about driver safety. | | | | and health professionals such as occupational |
| | | | therapists. |
| In the present day, the U.S. has more than 28 | | | | |
| million senior drivers on the roads, and next | | | | According to statistics from the National |
| to teenagers, seniors are the most vulnerable | | | | Highway Transportation Safety Administration |
| to death and injury while driving due to | | | | (NHTS) the U.S. has more than 28 million |
| their week body system and slow agility. | | | | drivers who are 65 years and older on the |
| | | | roads today and more than 191,000 were |
| Fog lights perform a huge role on every one's | | | | injured in crashes in 2005. Thirteen years |
| safety, especially in foggy areas. Often | | | | from now, that will be by the year 2020, |
| times, this is the reason of accidents on | | | | there will be more than 40 million senior |
| senior citizens due to their not so clear eye | | | | drivers in the U.S. |
| sight. A good thing is that all Volkswagen | | | | |
| latest models have upgraded VW fog lights | | | | For those who want to learn more about Car |
| that would help the elders have a clearer | | | | Fit, a website is intended for the said |
| vision in foggy areas. | | | | program. |
| | | | |
| Car Fit, as how the new program is called, | | | | Meanwhile, American Automobile Association |
| uses a 12-point check list to ensure that | | | | (AAA) is North America's largest motoring and |
| senior drivers are sitting properly in their | | | | leisure travel organization. AAA provides |
| vehicle and that seats, seat belts, mirrors, | | | | more than 50 million members with travel, |
| steering wheels, head rests, gas/brake pedals | | | | insurance, financial and automotive-related |
| and other controls are positioned properly | | | | services. Since the organization's founding |
| for each driver. A proper fit can help | | | | in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying |
| improve the older ones' visibility of the | | | | AAA has been a leader and advocate for the |
| roadway and control of their vehicle. Car Fit | | | | safety and security of all travelers. Also, a |
| represents the first program designed to | | | | website is made to know more about AAA. |
| improve senior safety by addressing a | | | | |
| senior's placement in their vehicle. | | | | This association of independent clubs has |
| | | | been an advocate for the motorist and |
| Robert L. Darbelnet, President and CEO of AAA | | | | traveler. It has fought and stood firmly on |
| said that the Mother's and the Father's Days | | | | motorists' legislative battles, protected |
| are the time of year when many kids and | | | | them against unduly restrictive legislation, |
| adolescents think about the impact their | | | | and worked against harsh and unjust |
| parents had on their early lives. They recall | | | | prosecutions. AAA has been in the forefront |
| how they had a safe and healthy childhood | | | | of the movement for adequate roads and safe |
| because of the love and concern of their | | | | use of those roads. It has also fought for |
| parents. Now, it is about time to show their | | | | equitable taxation and stood constantly to |
| concern by talking to their parents about | | | | watch over the rights and prerogatives of |
| safe driving and taking them to a local AAA | | | | America's travelers. |
| CAA office to make sure that they are | | | | |
| properly fitted in their cars; and Car Fit | | | | A not-for-profit, fully tax-paying |
| can help initiate the often difficult | | | | organization with more than 49 million |
| conversation with older parents about | | | | members, AAA is well respected for its |
| driving. | | | | credibility and integrity. Known primarily |
| | | | for providing emergency road service, maps |
| After more than two years of research and | | | | and travel publications, AAA also has a wide |
| development, Car Fit was at last developed by | | | | range of travel services, member-benefit |
| the American Society on Aging in | | | | programs and public service activities. |
| collaboration with AAA, AARP, and the | | | | |