The woman standing outside the car instructed 70-year-old Kay Mita to adjust her mirrors, switch on her turn signal and check her blind spot.

It wasn't a driver's ed class, but AAA Hawaii's first CarFit program, where occupational and physical therapists review driving tips with seniors and help them adjust seats and steering wheels so they will "fit" better in their vehicles.

"It was wonderful," said Mita, who attended the free event at Kapi'olani Community College yesterday with her husband, Walter. "I've been driving a long time, and they pointed out some very important issues that we need to be aware of."

Yesterday, seniors lined up in the KCC parking lot with their cars to receive a 15-minute, 12-point check to determine the "fit" of each driver to their vehicle. The assessment was based on safety belt use, head restraint settings, the driver's position to the steering wheel and airbag, mirror adjustment and operation of other vehicle controls.

"Every senior should be able to drive, as long as they're able to drive safely," said Richard Velazquez, AAA regional manager.

Helping older drivers to better "fit" their vehicles can greatly enhance driver safety, said Kari Benes, of the Department of Health's Injury Prevention Program.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that by 2030, one in five people in the United States will be 65 or older, meaning there could be 30 million older drivers on the road.

Concerns about elderly drivers have been heightened by several local and national studies that show that drivers 70 and older are as much as three times as likely to get into accidents than middle-age drivers. The studies cite declining eyesight and slower reaction, part of the natural aging process.

The issue looms large in Hawai'i, where 13 percent of drivers are 65 and older, and more than 7,400 drivers are 85 and older.

On Thursday, a 77-year-old 'Ewa Beach woman died after her vehicle struck a utility pole near the intersection of Kilaha Street and North Road in 'Ewa Beach.

CarFit helps older drivers make changes to their vehicles that can enhance driving visibility and improve posture, Benes said.

In the event of an accident, "depending on the fit, they could be more prone to severe injury," she added.

The occupational and physical therapists who evaluate participants make suggestions, but try to teach drivers to make the adjustments themselves. They also observe posture and how drivers respond to instructions and may recommend exercise or a visit to a physical therapist.

"The more they know, the better," said Donnabelle Kinney-Pasion, 30, a student at KCC's physical therapy program.

'IT WAS VERY HELPFUL'

At the event yesterday, the most common issues included drivers not knowing how to adjust the seat belt and steering wheel, or how to turn on the high beams. Others had trouble reaching the pedals; for them, the volunteers recommended using a cushion.

Lillian Nakasone, 77, who drove her son's recently purchased car through the inspection yesterday, took away some tips about adjusting her steering wheel and mirrors. She admitted she hadn't studied the vehicle very closely before driving it.

"It was very helpful," she said. "I should be more careful when I start out in the morning."