The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. is sponsoring Older Driver Safety Awareness Week and will cover different areas of concern throughout the week such as how to Identify Changes That Can Affect Driving, Family Conversations, Screening and Evaluations with an Occupational Therapist, Equipment That Can Empower Drivers, and Taking Changes in Stride. The purpose of the campaign is to promote the understanding of the importance of mobility and transportation to ensure older adults remain active in their community with the confidence that transportation will not be a barrier.

One way an OT can help improve the ability of older drivers to safely operate their vehicles includes a CarFit assessment. The CarFit assessment looks for: a seatbelt that holds the driver in the proper position and remains comfortable while driving, the tilt of the steering wheel and position of the airbag, plenty of room (at least 10 inches) between the chest and the airbag housed in the steering wheel, a properly adjusted head restraint, a clear line of sight above the steering wheel and dash, easy access to gas and brake pedals, properly adjusted mirrors, ability to see around the vehicle reducing the driver’s blind spots, the ability to tern the vehicle’s ignition key with ease or operate an ignition system, and easy operation of vehicle controls including turn signals, headlights, emergency flashers, windshield wipers, and the parking brake.

The adaptive equipment available to help improve driver safety is also very intriguing, and includes: low-effort steering, ribbon attached seatbelt (to help put the seatbelt on), hand controls for braking and acceleration, handybar to get in and out of the vehicle, Onstar, extra or extended mirrors, a swing-out seat, siren detector to help the hearing impaired, biopics to attach to eyeglasses for low vision drivers, tire pressure sensors, traction control sensors, a back-up camera, seat cushions, and foot pedal extensions.

You may read more about the awareness campaign at The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. website.