By: Mackenzie Feldhacker
OTD, OTR/L, CLT-LANA
and Allison Naber
Ph.D., OTD, OTR/L
More than 21% of all licensed drivers in the United States are 65 years of age or older, with these drivers making up 19% of reported fatal crashes. For older drivers throughout our region living in rural and remote areas, the ability to safely and independently drive is crucial to access food, healthcare and financial services without relying on family and friends. While there is no age limit for driving in South Dakota, there are steps older drivers can take to stay safe and confident behind the wheel for as long as possible.
Normal, age-related changes to vision, strength and flexibility can impact how comfortably and safely we drive and fit in our vehicles. To enhance the driver-vehicle fit, older drivers, specifically, can pay attention to the following:
Driver’s seat positioning
Visibility over the steering wheel
Ability to reach the pedals
Ability to access and use the seatbelt
Visibility with rear and sideview mirrors
CarFit can provide many additional tips and recommendations to enhance safety and comfort behind the wheel.
CarFit, a national partnership between AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), is a community-based education program that seeks to enhance older drivers’ safety and independence by assessing how they “fit” in their vehicles. CarFit offers education to older drivers with community-specific resources to enhance safety and increase community mobility. A quick yet comprehensive 12-point checklist is used during a CarFit check-up to see how well an older driver and their vehicle are working together. Offered in a variety of formats including virtual, on-demand, one-on-one and public events, CarFit aims to provide education about the simple adjustments that can be made to one’s vehicle to match someone’s physical functioning. In doing so, CarFit enhances independence and confidence for older drivers so they can drive safely, comfortably and for as long as they wish. If you or someone you love is interested in learning more or having a personalized assessment of their fit in their vehicle, you may find additional resources and a listing of upcoming CarFit events on the CarFit website (https://car-fit.org/).
Many of us provide transportation for older adults in our families or communities, and the education provided through CarFit can also benefit older adult passengers, even if they are no longer driving. To enhance an older adult passenger’s safety and comfort in a vehicle, family and friends may find the following equipment helpful: HandyBar: A handle that fits into the bracket on the door frame to provide a handle for someone to push up from to stand Swivel seat: A spinning seat cushion that helps someone turn their body when putting legs in or out of the car Seatbelt extender: An attachment for the seatbelt that provides a long handle to make it easier to reach when buckling the seatbelt Occupational therapy can assist older drivers and their families as they navigate safe driving and the aging process. As we age, we often experience changes to our physical, sensory, emotional and cognitive health. Occupational therapy practitioners can help older drives and their families through participation in CarFit events, identifying methods or equipment to maintain mobility and driving independence, and even planning alternative modes of transportation. Please reach out to your local healthcare provider or visit www.aota.org for more information.
Mackenzie Feldhacker, OTD, OTR/L, CLT-LANA, is an associate professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of South Dakota. Dr. Feldhacker is a licensed occupational therapist in Iowa and South Dakota and a certified CarFit Event Coordinator, responsible for training CarFit Technicians, leading CarFit events and collaborating with community partners. Allison Naber, Ph.D., OTD, OTR/L, is the academic fieldwork coordinator and an associate professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of South Dakota. Dr. Naber is a licensed occupational therapist in Minnesota and South Dakota and a certified CarFit Technician and helps to coordinate and run CarFit events. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to stay connected. Our programming includes the medical Q&A show On Call with the Prairie Doc® (most Thursdays at 7pm on YouTube, and Facebook), along with two podcasts and a weekly radio program (Sundays at 6am and 1pm on SDPB).