Some 90 percent of motorists aged 65 or older face health issues that impact driving safety, such as lack of flexibility or muscle strength. Yet only one in 10 senior citizens own a vehicle that has features like keyless entry and larger dashboard controls that can assist with these physical limitations.

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The American Automobile Association (AAA) recently updated its Smart Features for Older Drivers program to address the various needs of older drivers.

“As a person ages, muscle strength, range of motion and vision tend to diminish and can affect driving ability,” according to Dr. Sherrilene Classen, director of the Institute for Mobility, Activity and Participation at the University of Florida. “Not only do these conditions affect a driver’s comfort, their presence can also reduce the ability to safely execute the complex task of driving.”

Because everyone ages differently, the AAA recommends that older drivers seek vehicles that address their specific needs and medical conditions.

Drivers suffering from hip or leg pain, decreased leg strength or limited knee range of motion should look for vehicles with six-way adjustable power seats and seat heights that come between the driver’s mid-thigh and lower buttocks. These features can make it easier for drivers to enter and exit a vehicle.

Drivers with arthritic hands, painful or stiff fingers or diminished fine motor skills benefit from four-door models, thick steering wheels, keyless entry and ignition, power mirrors and seats and larger dashboard controls with buttons. These features reduce the amount of grip strength needed and reduce pain associated with turning or twisting motions.

Drivers with diminished vision or problems with high-low contrast will find vehicles with auto-dimming mirrors, large audio and climate controls and displays with contrasting text helpful.

These features can reduce blinding glare and make controls and displays easier to see.

The AAA, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) are also highlighting a community-based effort called CarFit, which relies on volunteers to assist aging motorists in meeting their needs.

Darbelnet and his staff have addressed a series of questions about CarFit:

Q: What is CarFit for the older driver?

A: CarFit is an educational program that offers older adults the opportunity to check how well their personal vehicles “fit” them. The CarFit program also provides information and materials on community-specific resources that could enhance their safety as drivers, and/or increase their mobility in the community.

Q: Why is CarFit important?

A: Older drivers are often the safest drivers in that they are more likely to wear their seatbelts, and less likely to speed or drink and drive. However, older drivers are more likely to be killed or seriously injured when a crash does occur due to the greater fragility of their aging bodies.

Driver safety programs improve adult driver safety by addressing cognitive abilities and skills; however, older drivers can also improve their safety by ensuring their cars are properly adjusted for them. A proper fit in one’s car can greatly increase not only the driver’s safety but also the safety of others

Q: How is a CarFit check completed?

A: At a CarFit event, a team of trained technicians and/or health professionals works with each participant to ensure they “fit” their vehicle properly for maximum comfort and safety. A CarFit check takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.

Q: In what ways Can CarFit Improve Road Safety?

A: Three quick examples underscore the importance of road safety to the CarFit program, which reviews 12 key areas of the driver’s fit to the personal vehicle.

Example one: Knowing how to properly adjust one's mirrors can greatly minimize blind spots for drivers who may wish to change lanes.

Example two: Good foot positioning on the gas and brake pedals is important. If the driver is reaching with his or her toes to press on the pedals, it can cause fatigue in one’s leg and slowed reaction times.

Example three: Drivers run a risk of serious injury if they are sitting closer than 10 inches to the steering wheel.

Q: Is CarFit effective?

A: CarFit was pilot tested in 10 cities in the spring of 2005 with more than 300 older driver participants. Based on findings from the CarFit checklists completed at the events and follow-up surveys of participants, the program appears to be highly effective on multiple fronts. Some of the results show:

• More than one-third had at least one critical safety issue needing to be addressed.
• One in 10 were seated too close to the steering wheel.
• About 20 percent did not have a line of sight at least three inches over the steering wheel.

In addition, the vast majority of those responding to the survey indicated that as a result of having gone through the CarFit event, they made a change to improve the fit of their vehicle, their use of safety features in their vehicle and/or their willingness to discuss their driving with family and/or health care providers.

Q: How can I become involved in CarFit?

A: CarFit is a program whose success depends on volunteers across the country. There are two ways one can become involved in CarFit:

By becoming an Event Coordinator, you will be trained to host CarFit events following proper programmatic procedures. Event Coordinators train CarFit technicians, secure dates and locations for CarFit events, participate in and monitor CarFit events and communicate with the national organizations, AAA, AARP and AOTA.

Event Coordinators must attend a two-day training conducted by a CarFit Instructor.

By becoming a CarFit Technician, you will be able to participate in CarFit events hosted by a CarFit Event Coordinator. A half-day of training teaches you the three parts of each CarFit event: Check-in, Check-up and Check-out.

Q: Where can I get pedal extensions or other adaptive equipment?

A: Modifications that interface with a moving vehicle can pose risk to the driver’s safety as well as exposing the person making the recommendation to risks of liability. Pedal extenders, although they may seem simple, actually are a modification that directly impacts the driver’s ability to safely and consistently control the vehicle both to accelerate and to stop.

Adaptive equipment recommendations should be made with the same caution as advising someone to seek medication. There are extenders that could help you reach the pedals, or there are hand controls available that allow you to continue to drive even if your feet can no longer control the pedals. We suggest that a driver seek the expert guidance of a driving rehabilitation specialist trained in assessing the individual’s need for equipment and the identification of the equipment that fits both the person and their vehicle.

For more information, visit www.car-fit.org, www.aota.org/olderdriver, www.aded.net and http://seniordriving.aaa.com/smartfeatures.

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