Share on LinkedIn

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - Older drivers are more at risk of injury during car accidents, but one local program is working to lessen the risk through education and prevention.

Through CarFit, a free educational program, volunteers help older drivers make their cars fit their needs by making adjustments to different parts of their car.

“The drivers actually are amazed because again, as technology advances, they’re not really sure. They’re just getting in their vehicles and going,” said Chanita Vazquez, occupant protection and diversity outreach coordinator with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.

Vazquez says CarFit events help older drivers learn their way around their vehicles, ultimately making their driving experience safer.

“There was one woman who was in Houma who we did an event and we asked her, ‘Can you see three inches above the steering wheel,’ and she told us no. The only thing we did was lifted up her seat, and she was like, ‘Oh my God. I can see everything. Is this what the world looks like?’” Vazquez said.

According to the most recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2021, older drivers were involved in 13% of fatal traffic crashes, even though they make up only 21% of all licensed drivers.

“We want to make sure that they keep their independence as long as possible. We’re not here to take your driver’s license or tell you that you can’t drive. We just want to make sure that in the event that you are in a car crash, that you are working with the vehicle and not against the vehicle,” Vazquez said.

By teaching how to adjust various parts of the car like the seat, seatbelt, steering wheel, and mirrors, Vazquez says older drivers can feel more confident behind the wheel.

“We want to make sure that every person is equipped with the knowledge on how to get to and from safely, arrive alive. I mean even me, when I first did CarFit, I didn’t know how to properly adjust my mirrors, and there is a proper way to do it, it’s just not in curriculums,” Vazquez said. “This is something that they take and they’re very appreciative that someone is helping them and giving them this information, and they’re also spreading this information to their loved ones.”

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission offers one-on-one adjustment appointments if an event is not available, and they’ll even meet you where you’re at.

To schedule an appointment, call the LHSC at (225) 925-6991.

Click here to report a typo.