Aaa: Give your Parents Driver Safety on Their Day

As the American Automobile Association (AAA) announces a new program to help reduce senior crashes and the injuries and deaths that result, the said organization is urging the adult children of older Americans to use the upcoming Mother’s Day on May 12, 2007 and Father’s Day on June 17 to talk to their aging parents about driver safety.

In the present day, the U.S. has more than 28 million senior drivers on the roads, and next to teenagers, seniors are the most vulnerable to death and injury while driving due to their week body system and slow agility.

Fog lights perform a huge role on every one’s safety, especially in foggy areas. Often times, this is the reason of accidents on senior citizens due to their not so clear eye sight. A good thing is that all Volkswagen latest models have upgraded VW fog lights that would help the elders have a clearer vision in foggy areas.

Car Fit, as how the new program is called, uses a 12-point check list to ensure that senior drivers are sitting properly in their vehicle and that seats, seat belts, mirrors, steering wheels, head rests, gas/brake pedals and other controls are positioned properly for each driver. A proper fit can help improve the older ones’ visibility of the roadway and control of their vehicle. Car Fit represents the first program designed to improve senior safety by addressing a senior’s placement in their vehicle.

Robert L. Darbelnet, President and CEO of AAA said that the Mother’s and the Father’s Days are the time of year when many kids and adolescents think about the impact their parents had on their early lives. They recall how they had a safe and healthy childhood because of the love and concern of their parents. Now, it is about time to show their concern by talking to their parents about safe driving and taking them to a local AAA/CAA office to make sure that they are properly fitted in their cars; and Car Fit can help initiate the often difficult conversation with older parents about driving.

After more than two years of research and development, Car Fit was at last developed by the American Society on Aging in collaboration with AAA, AARP, and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). As part of Older Americans Month, AAA clubs will be unveiling Car Fit throughout May by providing information to seniors or offering free Car Fit evaluations. Each evaluation in the program (Car Fit) is administered by especially trained volunteers and health professionals such as occupational therapists.

According to statistics from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTS) the U.S. has more than 28 million drivers who are 65 years and older on the roads today and more than 191,000 were injured in crashes in 2005. Thirteen years from now, that will be by the year 2020, there will be more than 40 million senior drivers in the U.S.

For those who want to learn more about Car Fit, a website is intended for the said program.

Meanwhile, American Automobile Association (AAA) is North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization. AAA provides more than 50 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since the organization’s founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Also, a website is made to know more about AAA.

This association of independent clubs has been an advocate for the motorist and traveler. It has fought and stood firmly on motorists’ legislative battles, protected them against unduly restrictive legislation, and worked against harsh and unjust prosecutions. AAA has been in the forefront of the movement for adequate roads and safe use of those roads. It has also fought for equitable taxation and stood constantly to watch over the rights and prerogatives of America’s travelers.

A not-for-profit, fully tax-paying organization with more than 49 million members, AAA is well respected for its credibility and integrity. Known primarily for providing emergency road service, maps and travel publications, AAA also has a wide range of travel services, member-benefit programs and public service activities.