The state of Florida through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles along with AAA and AARP have created a program called CarFit. This is a new service to help senior citizens stay safe behind the wheel.
The program has certified technicians that will go through a checklist to make sure the senior is in the correct position behind the wheel. Ann Howard of the DHSMV said "Because you need to have those mirors in the right place, the seat adjusted, the steering wheel. Sometimes folks get in their cars and just leave them as-is without ever adjusting them for months. We want to make sure the folks know that your car has to fit you and it can be adjusted so that it's perfect, and therefor increasing your safety in the vehicle."
Florida has over two million drivers between 65 and 74 and about a quarter-million over 85. A report shows that over 20 percent of drivers over 85 suffer from some degree of dementia.
Well, they may have dementia but thank goodness they will have their mirrors properly adjusted. How about this idea... if they have dementia, disable their car so it won't move. If they are in rough enough shape, they probably won't notice. Or how about this, Let's put the "safety" back into the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles by taking away their license and car. Just a thought.
No comments:
Post a Comment