DAVENPORT, Iowa - June 18, 2013 - Genesis will offer three CarFit events this summer for older drivers.
CarFit is a national educational program that offers older adults the opportunity to evaluate how well their personal vehicles "fit" them. Health professionals work with older drivers and review 12 key areas to ensure
they "fit" their vehicle properly for maximum safety. A CarFit check takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.
The three Genesis CarFit events coming up are scheduled for:
Wednesday, July 10 - Event will be held from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Genesis Medical Center, East Rusholme Street, Davenport.
Thursday, August 8 - Event will be held from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus.
Saturday, September 14 - Event will be held from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at Genesis Medical Center, East Rusholme Street, Davenport.
Older drivers are often the safest drivers because they're more likely to wear their seatbelts and less likely to speed or drink and drive, statistics show. However, they are also more likely to be seriously injured in a crash because their bodies are more fragile.
"Older drivers can improve their safety by ensuring their cars are properly adjusted for them," said Gretchen Cluff, an Occupational Therapist at Genesis and a Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist. "A proper fit in their car can greatly increase not only the driver's safety but also the safety of others.
"Once seniors arrive for their check, they will asked basic information and then we will evaluate how they fit in their car. For example, are they sitting too close to the airbag? Are their mirrors adjusted appropriately to maximize their view? Is their seat in the best position to reach the brake and gas pedals?
"We can only make recommendations and can't touch or change anything for liability reasons. We can, however, provide the senior drivers with important information that could increase their driving safety."
Three examples underscore the importance of road safety to the CarFit program:
· Knowing how to properly adjust one's mirrors can greatly minimize blind spots for drivers when changing lanes.
· Good foot positioning on the gas and brake pedals is important. Drivers who reach with their toes to press on the pedals can cause fatigue in their legs and slow reaction time.
· Drivers run a risk of serious injury if they are sitting closer than 10 inches from the steering wheel.
Other CarFit events have shown that more than one-third of seniors had at least one critical safety issue. One in 10 sat too close to the steering wheel, and 20 percent did not have a line of sight at least 3 inches over the steering wheel.
Genesis offers the only hospital-based driver's evaluation program in eastern Iowa with a Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist.
To reserve a time for an evaluation at either upcoming CarFit event, call (563) 421-1480.
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