CarFit program coordinator Chuck Wildzunas and dozens of other trained volunteer technicians, were thrilled with the turnout for Saturday’s event, held at Laurel Manor Regional Recreation Center.
“We’ve had all four lanes busy today, starting at 9 a.m., and every appointment is filled all day until we close at 1 p.m.,” Villages Homeowners Association President Fred Briggs said.
The mix of clouds and sun made for a pleasant ambiance for everyone as drivers lined up with their cars for inspection.
Matt Friedland and Joe Elliott, both directors with the VHA, were going through a checklist with driver after driver, as Joan Sullivan checked taillights and tire treads.
Sponsored by the VHA in tandem with the Florida State Department of Transportation, the tri-county sheriffs offices and local police departments, participants can find out, within 15-20 minutes, how well they fit with their vehicles. The Villages district government (VCCDDs); plus other national organizations, including the American Automobile Club (AAA) and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), are also sponsors of the CarFit program.
“We don’t do anything to peoples’ cars,” Elliott said. “Cars are personal property — personal space. We do make suggestions as indicated, and most drivers seem to make the adjustments we tell them about.”
By adjustment, CarFit means anything from changing the height of one’s head restraint or seat belt for better comfort and safety to making sure headlights are clean and free of lovebugs and road debris.
“This is an educational program we hold several times each year,” Wildzunas said. “We tell people they should sit at least ten inches from their steering wheels — so that they won’t be injured by the air bag if it deploys suddenly in an accident. We also check their visibility over their steering wheels and dashboards, and suggest raising or lowering seat height where needed.”
Some of the checkpoints include the car’s exterior and interior lights and directional signals; tire tread and road traction — and the all important horn. In fact, when drivers finish the program, they tap their horns to signal program completion — and everyone cheers.
Mary Marcello from the Village of Tamarind Grove was happy she drove up.
“My backup lights weren’t working, and I didn’t know it. I had no idea. The people were so nice. I feel more secure now in my car and will get new bulbs,” she said.
Technicians check drivers rear-view and side-view mirrors, suggest optimum mirror positioning for each person’s stature, and check their field of vision, especially on the passenger side of the car — which is all important when changing lanes or exiting highways.
New Lake Deaton Villager, Phyllis Blum, was glad her neighbor told her about CarFit.
“I know I’m an inch shorter than I used to be — most people have that happen when we get older,” she added. “This program is a very good thing. In fact, I can’t believe the number of beneficial programs they make available to us residents in The Villages.”
