The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is holding Older Driver Safety Awareness Week December 6-10. According to the Center for Disease Control, the ability to drive can be affected as we age. Older drivers are also more likely to be injured in a crash.
As part of Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, the Center for Safe Alaskans wants to share the following tips to help you stay safe. Gordon Glaser, the former Chair of the Alaska Commission on Aging, says, “I use these driving tips below to keep my passengers, other drivers, and myself safer.”
- Buckle up and wear your seatbelt. Place the shoulder belt across the middle of your chest and away from your neck. Place the lap belt across your hips.
- Make sure there are at least 10 inches between you and the steering wheel.
- Center your ears in the middle of the headrest for the best protection in a crash.
- Adjust the seat so you can easily press the pedals without stretching.
- The best view of the road is three inches above the top of your steering wheel.
- Learn to use your vehicle’s safety features; we can help.
Want to learn more? Safe Alaskans has an online library of 12 short videos to improve your safety and comfort while driving. CarFit created these videos with help from AAA, AARP, and AOTA. The library takes less than an hour to view. After viewing, you can complete a survey and enter a monthly drawing for a $25 gift card. https://safealaskans.org/de-library/
The CarFit on-demand workshop is another great resource. If you watch this 45-minute series, you’ll learn how to get the best fit in your vehicle and stay safer on the road. https://learn.aarp.org/carfit-online-workshop
Contact the Center for Safe Alaskans at 907-929-3939 or info@safealaskans.org for more information.
Theresa Hauser is the Senior Program Manager for Center for Safe Alaskans.
