The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is working hard to help mature drivers find their correct fit... in their vehicles. The Department is now a participant and safety partner in the
National CarFit® program, a proactive educational program created by the American Society on Aging, and developed in collaboration with AARP, AAA, and the American Occupational Therapy Association. The goals
of CarFit® are to:
- help mature drivers improve the fit of their vehicles for safety and comfort.
- promote conversations among older adults and families about driving safety and the continued need for mobility options to keep mature people actively participating int he life of their communities.
- Link mature adults with relevant, local resources that can help ensure they drive safely longer.
DHSMV is training a team of employees to be certified CarFit® technicians who can reach out to mature drivers
in the Capital City area to ensure each has:
- a clear line of sight over the steering wheel
- adequate space between the front airbag/steering wheel and the driver's breastbone
- properly adjusted head restraints
- proper positioning on gas and brake pedals
- proper safety belt use and fit
- safe positioning of mirrors to minimize blind spots
CarFit® provides an opportunity for trained technicians and coordinators to open a positive, non-threatening conversations about driver safety, to offer recommendations for adapting vehicles to ensure
a safer fit for mature drivers, and to provide valuable community resources to help mature drivers continue to drive for as long as safely possible. for more information about CarFit®, visit www.car-fit.org.
To inquire about having your vehicle inspected by a DHSMV CarFit® technician or to find out about becoming a certified technician, e-mail FHP@flhsmv.gov or call (850) 617-2379.
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