Austin police and AAA teamed up Tuesday to show senior drivers how the fit of their car affects their driving.

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KVUE's Jessica Vess reports

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The program, CarFit, is designed to accommodate senior citizens.

"Knowing your vehicle is the first step in knowing how to safely operate on the road," said Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo.

In April 2008 authorities say a senior citizen drove her car into a Best Buy store in Northwest Austin. She told police she mistakenly hit the gas instead of the brake. Neither the woman, who was in her late 70s, nor any other shoppers had any major injuries, but AAA says seniors age 65 and over are second most likely to die in car accidents, behind young drivers. They report one in four drivers will be 65 years of age or older by 2030.

"As we age, changes in our vision, flexibility, strength range of motion and even size and height may make us less comfortable behind the wheel," said Sonta Henderson, AAA spokesperson.

In order to help drivers know how best to control their cars volunteers are setting up at the Toney Burger Center in South Austin Tuesday morning to walk drivers through a 12-point checklist.

"CarFit provides older adults with the tools to understand and apply the safety features of their vehicles," said Henderson.

The check includes positioning the driver's seat and making sure the driver can reach pedals easily.

AAA says after visiting with the volunteers the driver can also meet with occupational therapists in the parking lot. They will talk about how drivers can maintain or improve their driving health.

The event begins at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. It lasts through 1:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon at the Toney Burger Center at 3200 Jones Road.