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