CarFit is an educational safety program developed in collaboration with AAA, AARP, and the American Occupational Therapy Association. CarFit was designed to help aging drivers improve the “fit” of their vehicles for safety and comfort. The program promotes conversations about safe driving and provides information on community-specific resources that enhance safety and increase mobility.
Attending a CarFit event is a fun and easy way for older drivers to be proactive about staying safe on the road. This FREE, 20-minute parking lot activity uses a team of trained volunteers, including Occupational Therapy practitioners, to help you learn about:
- Proper safety belt use and fit
- The safe distance between you and your airbag
- Clear line of sight above the steering wheel
- Mirror positioning to minimize blind spots
- Accessing vehicle controls
- State and local resources
If you are unable to attend an in-person CarFit event in your community, there are educational opportunities available online.
Why is CarFit Important?
Older adults are safe drivers. Studies show that mature drivers are less likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as:
- Speeding
- Not wearing their seatbelts
- Driving impaired
Older drivers are also more likely to limit driving in inclement weather, at night, or during high traffic times, when conditions are less desirable.
However, the fact remains that natural age-related changes and vulnerabilities can put us at greater risk and cause us to feel less secure behind the wheel. By ensuring our vehicles are properly adjusted for us, CarFit can help extend safe driving abilities and maintain personal mobility—a key component of successful aging. Although CarFit was designed to address the challenges that come with aging and promote continued safe driving among older adults, education on person-to-vehicle fit can benefit all age groups and help improve roadway safety for everyone!
Want to Get Involved?
There are many great opportunities for you to become involved in local CarFit events! As a volunteer, you may choose to become a trained Technician, Event Coordinator, Coordinator 1:1 or assist in the role of an Occupational Therapy Practitioner. Learn how you can help bring CarFit to your community!
Technician
By becoming a trained Technician, you will be able to assist at CarFit events hosted by an Event Coordinator.
A half-day training teaches you how to:
- Take participants through a CarFit event safely following a triage approach: Check-in, Check-up, and Check-out
- Complete a CarFit check-up following a 12-point checklist of key safety features
- Make recommendations on adjustments that will help the driver improve their “fit” in their vehicle for comfort and safety
Coordinator 1:1
A Coordinator 1:1 is a volunteer who is already an experienced CarFit Technician and has received additional training by an Event Coordinator to conduct individual CarFit check-ups outside of a traditional event.
A Coordinator 1:1 volunteer can:
- Review and complete the CarFit Waiver and Checklist with a driver when an event may not be available
- Report the activity of their CarFit 1:1 check-ups
- Communicate with their Event Coordinator periodically on CarFit 1:1 activity
Event Coordinator
As a volunteer Event Coordinator, you can bring CarFit to your community.
A full-day training conducted by a CarFit Instructor teaches you how to:
- Host, manage, and participate in CarFit events following proper programmatic procedures
- Train CarFit Technicians to assist at events
- Communicate with national organizations (AAA, AARP, and AOTA)
Occupational Therapy Practitioner
The Occupational Therapy Practitioner (Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapy Assistant, or Occupational Therapy student) plays an important role at CarFit events by bringing their medical background to the conversation.
As a trained Technician or Event Coordinator, Occupational Therapy practitioners can:
- Address questions and concerns the driver may have that are age or medical-related
- Demonstrate adaptive equipment if deemed appropriate
- Provide information on community mobility resources, including services offered by a Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (DRS)
- Earn Continuing Education Units (CEU) for their participation*
*Following state guidelines; this information can be found on the Florida licensing board’s website.
With the help of an Event Coordinator, your agency or organization can host a CarFit event in your community.
Local host organizations are asked to recruit volunteers for training or provide staff to help at the event, market the event locally, secure a safe parking lot for the event, and manage driver appointments.
