ISU students prepare for ‘CarFit’ senior citizen driving event
Older drivers have the highest rate of deadly crashes compared to any other group, with the exception of brand new drivers. This data was collected by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. One way to help prevent so many fatal crashes is through programs like CarFit.
The department of occupational therapy at Idaho State University will be hosting a CarFit event on Monday. The event will allow ISU students and healthcare staff to help older drivers make adjustments to their steering wheels, mirrors and seatbelts in order to make it easier and safer for drivers when they use their cars.
“So we help people with all of the adjustments that are built into modern cars and to adjust it so its just perfect for them so they have a good view of the road, the seatbelts are fitting them properly, the airbag is going to help them rather than injure them if it happens to deploy. So a lot of those issues of safety and comfort regarding their fit,” commented Dr. Ted Peterson, who is coordinating the 9th annual CarFit event at ISU.
An evaluator checks everything from headlights to the car horn. All to make sure that as drivers age, they are comfortable and safe on the road.
“I think their could be some cognitive decline or maybe some visual perceptual declines and so we just want to make sure people are as safe on the road as they can be,” said Spencer Vandenburg, a master of occupational therapy student at ISU.
Once the evaluator has gone over everything, the driver is sent to a check out station. An occupational therapist will review their evaluation and provide them with further suggestions to make driving easier.
“So we have a certified occupational therapist at the check out station, that is where they will recommend different gadets to kind of help increase that fit, like extended foot pedals for gas and breaks. We also have a thing that is like an extended handle so somebody who has trouble getting in and out of their vehicle can go ahead and use that handle and put pressure on that,” said Vandenburg.
The event will be held on September 25th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of Holt Arena at ISU.
Organizers encourage motorists to call (208) 282-2590 to make an appointment. If you’re unable to call in advance, drop by the day of the event and technicians will work you in.
Reporter Erin O’Shaughnessy took part in the CarFit test to see what drivers can expect at the event. To watch the video click below.
