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