December 1, 2017

 

Steve Olson, 386-943-5479

Steve.Olson@dot.state.fl.us

A 20-MINUTE CARFIT CHECKUP CAN HELP SAVE LIVES

Safe Mobility for Life Coalition Observes Older Driver Safety Awareness Week

Orlando The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Safe Mobility for Life (SMFL) Coalition, and partners will host a CarFit safety event, with special emphasis on older drivers' mobility and safety. The event is in support of the American Occupational Therapy Association's (AOTA) Older Driver Safety Awareness Week. 

Activities take place in the parking lot of the FDOT District 5 Urban Office at 133 S. Semoran Blvd. in Orlando, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 6.  During the CarFit event, trained technicians will check 12 important "fit" areas with drivers in their personal vehicles to find the ideal driving position that delivers maximum comfort and safety for reducing crash, serious injury, and fatality rates. Attendees may either stop by during the two-hour window, or call (407) 482-7800 for an appointment time. The check-up is free. CarFit is an educational safety program created by the American Society on Aging (ASA) and developed jointly with AAA, AARP, and AOTA. 

Steve Martin, FDOT District 5 Secretary said, "With 73 percent of participants in a recent Florida Aging Road User Survey strongly agreeing that driving is central to their independence, we are committed to working with the Safe Mobility for Life Coalition with events like this to provide older adults the transportation resources they need to stay safe and mobile in Central Florida."  

The SMFL Coalition also encourages older adults to have a plan in place to use other modes of transportation, such as walking, biking, and using transit to continue to get around when driving may no longer be a safe option.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles' Florida Licensing On Wheels (FLOW) mobile unit will be on hand to provide a convenient way for event participants to renew or replace their driver license, change an address or name on their license, obtain an identification card, and renew a vehicle tag or apply for a disabled parking permit.  

The event is just one of the Coalition's statewide activities to support AOTA's Older Driver Safety Awareness Week campaign which runs from Monday, December 4 until Friday, December 8. To learn more visit, www.FLsams.org/ODSAW2017.htm.  

Media inquiries can be directed to Communications Manager Steve Olson, 386-943-5479, Steve.Olson@dot.state.fl.us.  

About the Safe Mobility for Life Coalition

In 2009, FDOT partnered with the Pepper Institute on Aging and Public Policy at Florida State University to establish the SMFL Coalition for addressing specific needs of Florida's aging road users. The Coalition's mission is to work with their 28 partnering national, state and local public agencies, and aging and safety advocate organizations to implement a strategic plan for increasing the safety, access, and mobility of aging road users and reducing crash, serious injury, and fatality rates. For more information, visit www.FLsams.org. 

FDOT advises drivers to slow down in construction zones; the life you save may be your own.  

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