ROCHESTER, N.Y., April 9, 2009 – The AAA Western and Central New York Driving Academy has teamed up with Rochester Rehabilitation Center, Lifespan, and the Monroe County Office of Traffic Safety to present a Senior Mobility Expo on April 16th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Rochester Rehabilitation Center’s Al Sigl Center Building, 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, N.Y. 14620. The event aims to keep Rochester’s senior drivers safe, independent, and mobile by offering expert advice and information from the area’s top senior driving experts.

The Senior Mobility Expo will feature CarFit, a new in-car safety program designed to assist seniors with properly adjusting their personal vehicles to improve driving ability. CarFit is the first program to determine proper vehicle “fit” and recommend adjustments to allow senior drivers to feel more comfortable behind the wheel and possess greater control of their vehicles.

“As we age, changes in our vision, flexibility, strength, range of motion, and even size and height may make us less comfortable and reduce our control behind the wheel,” said Tom Chestnut, President/CEO of AAA Western and Central New York. “CarFit provides older adults with a better understanding of their vehicle so they can take full advantage of every safety feature.”

Each CarFit evaluation is administered by specially-trained volunteers, including health professionals, such as occupational therapists specializing in driver rehabilitation, and includes a 12-point checklist to ensure senior drivers are sitting properly in their vehicle and that their seat, seat belt, mirrors, steering wheel, head restraint, gas/brake pedals and other controls are positioned properly. Each CarFit evaluation takes only 20 minutes to complete. To schedule an appointment, please call the Monroe County Office of Traffic Safety at (585) 753-3016.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are 30 million drivers aged 65 or older on the roads today, with that number expected to surpass 40 million by 2020. Senior drivers have the second highest crash death rate per mile driven. In 2007, more than 196,000 older drivers were injured in traffic crashes, accounting for 8 percent of all traffic crash injuries. Senior drivers also accounted for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities, 14 percent of all vehicle occupant fatalities, and 19 percent of all pedestrian fatalities in 2007.

The Senior Mobility Expo also includes reaction-time assessments, a balance evaluator to determine the risk of falling down, and more information from AAA Driving Academy and its partners. For more information please visit www.AAAdriverprograms.com or call (800) 836-CLUB (2582), ext. 3504.

As Upstate New York’s largest member services organization, AAA provides nearly 880,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Visit AAA at www.AAA.com.