AAA Offers Tools During Older Driver Safety Awareness Week

Free CarFit check-ups on December 10

Phoenix, Ariz. December 8, 2009.  People age 65 and older represent the fastest growing segment of the country’s population, which makes their safe driving ability an issue that is facing millions of families.  According to the Motor Vehicle Division’s Point-in-Time Driver Credentials Report, there are more than 650,000 drivers ages 65 and older in Arizona.  In support of Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, taking place this week, AAA is providing tools to assist seniors and their families in addressing the changes that come with advanced driving age.   

“AAA encourages seniors and their families to use Older Driver Safety Awareness Week as an opportunity to have a conversation about safe driving,” said Linda Gorman, AAA Arizona public affairs director. “AAA can provide the tools and resources needed to help guide them through this process.”

 AAA would like to let senior drivers and their families know about the wealth of resources available:

• CarFit is a free assessment that offers mature drivers the opportunity to check how well their personal vehicle "fits" them. Trained CarFit technicians check to see that motorists have a clear line of sight, properly adjusted headrests, easy access to the gas and brake pedals and more. 
  
  
• AAA will host a free CarFit clinic on Thursday, December 10th at the SCAN Connections Resource Center (1313 E. Osborn Rd, Phoenix) from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  To schedule an appointment, call 602.241.2945 or email rbravo@arizona.aaa.com.  
  
  
• Roadwise Review is a free online tool designed to assess a driver’s functional abilities important to safe driving.  To access the free online version, visit www.aaaseniors.com.  To purchase the CD-ROM version, visit http://aaaazstore.com/pr/.
  
  
• DriveSharp, is a computer software program that focuses on the visual systems in the brain that are essential to safe driving. It strengthens the brain’s ability to process what you see so that you can focus better, keep track of more on the road, and react faster while driving. AAA members can purchase DriveSharp for $69 by visiting www.drivesharpnow.com/az.
  
  
• AAASeniors.com provides expert advice about how aging affects one’s ability to drive safely.  The information and tools on the site are designed to aid in prompting conversations, assessing abilities and improving the comfort and safety of older drivers.
  
  
• Keeping the Keys is a free 90-minute workshop that aims to educate and inform mature drivers on the effects that age can have on their driving. In addition, the workshop offers mature drivers tools and resources they can use to maintain their mobility. Workshops are offered at a variety of locations. To schedule, call 602.241.2945 or email rbravo@arizona.aaa.com.