Auto Club Carfit Program Returns To Long Beach For Senior Motorists
(LONG BEACH, Dec. 12, 2007) — By popular demand, CarFit, a free program for seniors 65 and older, is returning to Long Beach and will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20 at the El Dorado Senior Center, 2800 N. Studebaker Road, Long Beach, 92815-1629. (The entrance is south of Carson Street and north of Willow Street.)
CarFit appointments can be made by calling the Auto Club’s Community Affairs Office at 714-885-2312.
CarFit is a program to help seniors learn how the effects of aging change the way they fit in their vehicle and how their driving can be affected. Trained professionals conduct a 12-pt., 15-minute checklist on the driver and the car, which includes an evaluation of seat-belt adjustment, foot pedals, vision and mirrors to ensure that senior drivers are “correctly fitted” to their vehicles to ensure safety.
An occupational therapist who specializes in driver rehabilitation will offer advice on ways a driver can maintain and strengthen their driving health, including community resources where seniors can go for further evaluation regarding exercise, nutrition and adaptive devices.
The CarFit program is designed to give a quick, comprehensive check on how well a senior driver and their vehicle work together. CarFit was developed by AAA, the American Society on Aging, AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association.
California has no upper driving age limit and state law prohibits the Dept. of Motor Vehicles from using age alone to require a behind-the-wheel test at renewal. However, motorists 70 or older must renew their license in person rather than through the mail.