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?