Are you comfortable while driving your car? Here's the perfect opportunity to make your car fit you better for your safety and comfort. Take advantage of this free opportunity from the Monmouth University Occupational Therapy Department. Call now to schedule your CarFit appointment: 732.923.4339

What is CarFit?

CarFit is a community-based educational program that promotes continued safe driving and mobility among older drivers by focusing attention on safety, comfort and fit.

CarFit was created in 2006 in collaboration with AAA (American Automobile Association), AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

What are the Objectives of the CarFit program?

The program is designed to help older drivers find out how well they currently fit their personal vehicle, to highlight actions they can take to improve their fit, and to promote conversations about driver safety and community mobility. A proper fit in one's personal vehicle can greatly increase not only the driver's safety but also the safety of others.

In What Ways Can CarFit Improve Road Safety?

Three quick examples underscore the importance of road safety to the CarFit program, which reviews twelve key areas of the driver's fit to the personal vehicle.

Example one: Knowing how to properly adjust one's mirrors can greatly minimize blind spots for drivers who may wish to change lanes.

Example two: Good foot positioning on the gas and brake pedals is important. If the driver is reaching with his or her toes to press on the pedals, it can cause fatigue in one's leg and slowed reaction times.

Example three: Drivers run a risk of serious injury if they are sitting closer than 10 inches to the steering wheel.

Is CarFit effective?

CarFit was pilot tested in 10 cities in the spring of 2005 with more than 300 older driver participants. Based on findings from the CarFit checklists completed at the events and follow-up surveys of participants, the program appears to be highly effective on multiple fronts. Some of the results show:

...over one-third (37%) had at least one critical safety issue needing addressed.

...one in ten (10%) were seated too close to the steering wheel.

...approximately 20% did not have a line of sight at least 3" over the steering wheel.

In addition, the vast majority of those responding to the survey indicated that as a result of having gone through the CarFit event, they made a change to improve the fit of their vehicle, their use of safety features in their vehicle and/or their willingness to discuss their driving with family and/or health care providers.

How can I become involved in CarFit?

CarFit is a program whose success depends on volunteers across the country. There are two ways one can become involved in Carfit:

By becoming an Event Coordinator, you will be trained to host CarFit events following proper programmatic procedures. Event Coordinators train CarFit technicians, secure dates and locations for CarFit events, participate in and monitor CarFit events and communicate with the national organizations, AAA, AARP and AOTA.

Event Coordinators candidates must have previous experience working as a Technician and attend a training conducted by a CarFit Instructor. Event Coordinators are required to be on site supervising events they have scheduled.

To find an Event Coordinator Training in your area, click here.

By becoming a CarFit Technician, you will be able to participate in CarFit events hosted by a CarFit Event Coordinator. A half-day training teaches you the three parts of each CarFit event: Check-in, Check-up and Check-out.

To find a Technician Training in your area, or to volunteer for an event, click here.

How Can Drivers Sign Up for a CarFit Checkup?

Individuals wishing to take part in a CarFit Checkup should click here and look at the calendar of upcoming events. If there are no events listed near you, please check back to this site for new postings by our volunteers. For additional questions, contact [email protected].

How Can I Get a CarFit Brochure?

You may download a .pdf document of the latest CarFit brochure here.

Where can I get pedal extensions or other adaptive equipment?

Modifications that interface with a moving vehicle can pose risk to the driver's safety, as well as exposing the person making the recommendation to risks of liability. Pedal extenders, although they may seem simple actually are a modification that directly impacts the driver's ability to safely and consistently control the vehicle both to accelerate and to stop! Adaptive equipment recommendations should be made with the same caution as advising someone to seek medication. There are extenders that could help you reach the pedals or there are hand controls available that allow you to continue to drive even if your feet can no longer control the pedals. We suggest that a driver seek the expert guidance of a driving rehabilitation specialist trained in assessing the individual's need for equipment and the identification of the equipment that fits both the person and their vehicle.

You can locate a driving rehabilitation specialist by using the specialists directory located at www.aota.org/olderdriver (see specialists directory) or www.aded.net (see CDRS directory). Specialized programs are available in every state, but not necessarily in your community.

Last Updated: 09/12/24