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BUTLER - Police to offer ‘CarFit’ program for older adults
(by Stephen Janoski - Staff Writer - July 08, 2008)
BUTLER - The Butler Police Department is taking steps to ensure the safety of older drivers by training officers in the American Automobile Association (AAA) Senior Citizen CarFit Training Program.
The program, which was developed through collaboration with AAA, the American Society on Aging, the American Association of Retired People (AARP), and the American Occupational Therapy Association, is designed to help older drivers find out how well they “fit” in their cars.
As described in AAA literature, “CarFit aims to reduce senior crashes and the death and injuries that may result by reviewing such items as safety belt use, steering wheel tilt, head restraint setting, position to air bag, gas and brake pedals, mirror adjustment, operation of parking brake, ignition key and vehicle controls.”
Capt. Jay Dean of the Butler Police Department said that he saw the program in action in a Florida police department and promptly contacted AAA for information.
Ed Baginski, traffic safety specialists for AAA, will be training the Butler Police in a four-hour class. The program, he said, has been implemented in more than 33 states and at least 30 towns throughout New Jersey.
“We’ll train police officers, or anyone who’s interested. After the class, they become a technician who can schedule appointments with senior organizations. It’s really a 15-minute, non-threatening evaluation. A lot of senior citizens aren’t familiar with the controls; when they started driving, each control had one function,” he said.
“We also bring an occupational therapist with us. If it’s pointed out that someone has needs that need further review, the therapist can talk to them and get them pedal extenders or something to help them grab the steering wheel. We’ll give them an idea of what can make them more comfortable.”
He also said that over the many times he’s run the course, only one driver was ever deemed unfit to drive.
“Seniors are a very self-regulation group,” he said. “Of the seniors who shouldn’t be driving, nearly 78 percent will give up on their own. They don’t need someone to tell them.
“We don’t ask for names or addresses; we don’t collect personal data. Their name doesn’t appear anywhere. We’re not going to go to the DMV and have their license taken away,” he added.
Seniors have been enthusiastic in response, and Baginski said that the programs are often filled to capacity.
The program stresses drivers being comfortable behind the wheel. Seniors should have essentials like a clear line of sight over the steering wheel, a comfortable seat that can be easily adjusted, and a seatbelt that holds people in the proper position (and isn’t irritating). Proper mirror adjustment is also reviewed in the hopes of eliminating blind spots in a driver’s vision.
Capt. Dean said that eight officers will be trained on July 23, participating in a four-hour classroom session and then a “practicals” session.
“We’ve got 12 senior citizens, coordinated by a man named Ed Dwyer, coming in so the officers can run the CarFit program with them,” Dean said.
“We’re not just training traffic officers; we’re training detectives and all types. Anything that you can do, from education to enforcement to awareness, will improve traffic safety,” according to Dean.
The U.S. Census Bureau has determined that by 2030, one in five drivers will be 65 or older. Common afflictions will make driving harder on the elderly, such as stiff necks or difficulty driving at night. And driving causes different strains on older people, who may have limited flexibility, strength, or range of motion.
After July 23, if senior citizens would like to participate in the CarFit program, they can call Patrolman Robert Findura, the head of the Traffic Bureau, at 973-838-4100 and schedule an appointment.
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