MILTON — Senior citizen motorists who make a few alterations to their vehicles can be safer drivers.
That’s the core lesson of CarFit, an educational program that visited the Guy Thompson Community Center in Milton on April 19. Fran Carlin-Rogers, along with volunteers from the Guy Thompson Community Center in Milton, West Florida Rehabilitation Institute and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, facilitated the event.
GALLERY: Photos from the CarFit event at the Guy Thompson Community Center in Milton >
Here are some of Rogers’ tips:
Position the steering wheel. “We want to make sure everyone is sitting at least 10 inches away from the steering wheel because of the airbags,” Rogers said. “The airbag deploys at 180 miles per hour; by the time you are aware that it has deployed, it has already deflated.”
That’s why it’s important to properly position the steering wheel. “If the airbag were to deploy, you want it to come towards your chest, not towards your head,” Rogers said, adding that motorists should adjust the steering wheel to where the vehicle’s speedometer is clearly visible.
Check tire treads. Rogers suggests using a quarter to gauge the depth of a tire’s tread. “If any portion of the tread covers any portion of George (Washington’s) powdered wig, the tires are okay,” she said. If not, Rogers said it may be time to replace those tires.
Use safety products. A seat belt grabber can help adults with back pain or arthritis. The plastic item — available in area retailers and online — can help seniors reaching for the seat belt once they entered the vehicle. Another item to consider is a pedal extension that helps drivers operate their vehicle, Rogers said.
Wear proper footwear. Rogers said drivers of any age should avoid wearing footwear that can hinder braking or accelerating. Examples include flip flops or beach sandals — which can become caught under the vehicle’s pedals — and high heels that easily can become stuck in a vehicle’s flooring or floor mat. Rogers recommends wearing flat, comfortable shoes when driving.
DID YOU KNOW?
The American Society on Aging created the CarFit program with collaboration from the American Automobile Association, AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association.
Learn more about the program — whose slogan is “Helping Mature Drivers Find Their Safest Fit” behind the wheel — at www.car-fit.org/
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 4 tips for Milton seniors to stay safe behind the wheel (VIDEO, PHOTOS)