Lavonia Police to Sponsor CarFit Program for Senior Drivers
Senior motorists over the age of 65 often like to drive large sedans, thinking the bigger the car, the safer they are.
But that theory might not be correct for every senior motorist.
That’s why a new program, sponsored by the AARP, the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is designed to help seniors determine if they’re driving a vehicle that’s right for them.
The program is called CarFit and next week, it’s coming to Lavonia. CarFit is an educational program that offers older adults the opportunity to check how well their personal vehicles “fit” them.
Lavonia Police Chief Bruce Carlisle said his officers will be at the Lavonia Cultural Center next Tuesday, December 10th from 10a to noon.
“You drive up and don’t have to get out of your vehicle,” Carlisle said. “There will be trained volunteers that will go over issues with you tha tare pertinent to senior drivers, such as safety trips. They will also offer other items to help them drive more safely.”
Carlisle said by taking advantage of the CarFit check up, senior drivers can also improve their safety by ensuring their cars are properly adjusted for them.
A proper fit in one’s car can greatly increase not only the driver’s safety but also the safety of others.
And there are other reasons why Carlisle said it’s important for senior drivers to take advantage of this free safety review.
“Today you have increased traffic congestion, longer commute distances, new technology in vehicles, and faster speeds” Carlisle said. “The CarFit program will help older motorists mitigate some of these issues.”
Older drivers are often the safest drivers on the road because they are more likely to wear their seatbelts, and less likely to speed or drink and drive.
However, older drivers are also more likely to be killed or seriously injured when a crash does occur because they tend to be more frail than younger drivers and don’t recover as quickly.
Again, the free CarFit program will be in Lavonia next Tuesday, December 10th from 10a to noon at the Lavonia Cultural Center.