lifelong safe mobility
TRANSCRIPT
AAA Lifelong Safe Mobility
Dannielle SherretsManager, Traffic Safety Research & Analysis
AAA National
• AAA is a not-for-profit organization of 60 motor clubs serving over 50 million members in the U.S. and Canada.
• During more than 100 years of public service, AAA has been dedicated to promoting traffic safety through education, advocacy, and research.
• Safety topics focus on the vulnerable populations and high-risk driving: children, teens, seniors, alcohol, distracted driving
About AAA…
Lifelong Safe Mobility
• Launched in mid-2003
• Recognition of growing population and tremendous public health impact
• Goal to keep seniors safe and mobile
Road(senior-friendly road design)
Vehicle(better crash protection, seat belt design, add-ons)
Driver(training, screening, supplemental transportation)
3 Elements of Traffic Safety
The Road: Senior-Friendly Road Design
• Over-represented in intersection crashes, left-hand turns problematic
• Safety-oriented road design shown to greatly reduce death and injury to our aging population– intersection improvements; better signage,
lighting, and road markings; and protected left-turn lanes
• AAA highlighted such road improvements as a primary component of our advocacy plan for the transportation reauthorization.
The DriverAAA Roadwise Review: A Tool to Help Seniors Drive Safely Longer•State-of-the-Art Screening Tool
•CD-ROM
• Screens the basic functional capabilities associated with increased crash risk among seniors
• Developed with TransAnalytics
Screening Measures
• Visual Acuity – high and low contrast• Visual Information Processing Speed (UFOV®)• Working Memory• Visual Search• Visualization of Missing Information• Lower Limb Strength and Mobility• Head-Neck Flexibility
Based on Driving Health® Inventory
The Vehicle: CarFit
• Collaborative effort among four nationally recognized organizations:
– American Occupational Therapy Association
– American Society on Aging
– AARP
– AAA
CarFit: Helping Mature Drivers FindTheir Perfect Fit
CarFit: Helping Mature Drivers Find Their Perfect Fit
CarFit is a community-based program whose purpose is three-fold:
• Offers the opportunity for drivers to see how well their car “fits” them.
• Provides a low-risk opportunity to open a dialogue with a senior motorist about safety issues for the aging driver.
• Raises awareness local resources to keep drivers driving safer longer.
The CarFit Checklist• Safety Belt Use• Steering Wheel Tilt• Head Restraint Setting• Positioning to Air Bag • Line of Sight Over Steering Wheel• Positioning to gas/brake pedals• Mirror Adjustments• Operation of Parking • Brake/Ignition Key• Operation of Other • Vehicle Controls
• 300 seniors across 10 cities in 2005
• ...over one-third (37%) had at least one critical safety issue needing addressed
• ...one in ten (10%) were seated too close to the steering wheel
• ...approximately 20% did not have a line of sight at least 3" over the steering wheel
Evaluation of CarFit
Smart Features for Mature Drivers
• Partnership between AAA and University of Florida’s National Older Driver Research and Transportation Center
Multi-Disciplinary Program• Public Health Professionals• Automotive Experts• Researchers• Occupational Therapists
Criteria
• Criteria developed in collaboration with UF (Q3 2006-Q2 2007)• Subjective
• Ergonomics (design and adaptability of vehicle)• Comfort
• Objective• Safety• Value (cost of ownership data)
Evaluation
• Conduct 2008 vehicle evaluations• Recognize not a single “Winner,” but vehicles
exemplifying the best features for seniors • Short Stature• Limited lower body mobility/strength• Arthritic hands• Limited upper body range of motion• Diminished vision
Short Stature
• Six-way adjustable seats
• Tilt and Telescoping Steering Wheel
• Adjustable foot pedals
• Vehicles exemplifying all features:– Chrysler 300– Dodge Charger– Honda Odyssey– Hyundai Veracruz– Jeep Grand Cherokee– Pontiac G6
Limited Lower Body Strength
• Seat Height– Mid-thigh to lower buttocks
• At least six-way adjustable seats
• Lower door threshold or “sill”
• Vehicle examples: – Ford Edge/Escape/Explorer– Honda CR-V– Subaru Tribeca– Toyota 4-Runner/Highlander/Rav-4/Sienna
Arthritic Hands• Four door models• Thick steering wheel• Keyless entry• Keyless ignition• Power mirrors• Power seats• Controls with buttons or large knobs• Vehicle examples:
– Acura RL– Cadillac STS– Hyundai Veracruz– Mazda CX-9– Nissan Altima– VW Passat
Limited Upper Body ROM
• Tilt and telescoping steering wheel• Large, wide angle mirrors• Comfortable seats with lumbar support• Heated seats• Adjustable seat belts• Vehicle examples:
– Acura/Audi/BMW– Dodge Charger– Ford Edge/Fusion– Honda Accord/Odyssey
Diminished Vision
• Visors and extendable visors
• Large audio & climate controls with contrasting text
• Vehicle Examples: – Hyundai Sonata– Jeep Patriot– Kia– Mitsubishi Eclipse– Toyota Corolla
Final Thoughts….
• Seniors should choose a vehicle based upon individual needs.
• All seniors will benefit from safety features such as proven crashworthiness, dual-threshold airbags, ABS, brake assist, etc.
• What is best for seniors is best for everyone!!
Questions?