training Archives - Traffic Safety Team

We were excited to bring a great opportunity to Northeast Florida for our Traffic Safety Team members and associates to become trained CarFit Technicians. Technicians help drivers improve the “fit” of their vehicles for safety and comfort. Safe Mobility for Life, FDOT’s District Two Community Traffic Safety Program, Clay County Senior Services of Aging True, and the Town of Orange Park Police Department hosted the regional CarFit Technician Training & Checkup Event.

A Successful CarFit Event in Orange Park!

We’re thrilled to share that our recent CarFit Technician Training and Event was a tremendous success! The training certified 14 new technicians and prepared 9 future Event Coordinators, including representatives from AARP, Alachua County Fire Rescue, Atlantic Beach Police Department, Clay Department of Health, FDOT Northeast Florida, Lawtey Police Department, Orange Park Police Department, UF Health, and Veterans Affairs. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the dedicated members of the Traffic Safety Team who participated and brought such positive energy and commitment to the day.

Highlight Video from our CarFit Checkup Event on 4/26/25

The CarFit Technician Training covered how to:

Take drivers through a CarFit event safely following a triage approach: Check-in, Check-up, and Check-out
Complete a CarFit check-up following a 12-point checklist of key safety features
Make recommendations on adjustments that will help the driver improve their “fit” in their vehicle for safety and comfort

During the CarFit event, fourteen drivers went through the car checkup, positively impacting their safety and confidence behind the wheel. Even more exciting is the momentum created for future CarFits in your communities. Team members’ enthusiasm and great ideas for this initiative are great, and we can’t wait to see how each of their agencies continues to grow this effort locally.

CarFit Check

CarFit is a FREE, interactive, and educational safety program that teaches participants how to make their personal vehicles “fit” them to increase their safety and mobility when they are driving on the road. It is not a driving test or mechanical inspection. Motorists get assistance with items such as:

Proper safety belt use and fit
The safe distance between the driver and their air bag
Clear line of sight above the steering wheel
Properly adjusted head restraints
Safe positioning of mirrors to minimize blind spots

Event Photo Gallery

We are grateful to our fantastic community partners and agencies for participating in this event with us:

AARP
Alachua County Fire Rescue
Atlantic Beach Police Department
Clay County Public Library
Clay County Senior Services of Aging True
Clay Department of Health
FDOT Safe Mobility for Life Coalition
Lawtey Police Department
Orange Park Police Department
Orange Park Senior Center
Town of Orange Park Police Department
UF Health
Veterans Affairs

Together, we’re paving the way for safer, more confident older drivers in our community!

If you have any questions, please email us (trafficsafetyteam@dot.state.fl.us). If you are new to the Northeast Florida Community Traffic Safety Program, we invite you to learn more about us and join a virtual Traffic Safety Team meeting for your county. For more information, visit:

Safe Mobility for Life – FDOT Coalition
CarFit – Helping Mature Drivers Find Their Safest Fit [by AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association]

Defensive Driving Tools

Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act for Safe Driving

Adjusting Side View Mirrors for Safer Driving

Proper Safe Following Distance

Downloadable version of the video as a PDF presentation file for viewing and sharing:

Read the complete article, “Three Defensive Driving Tools to Avoid Great Impact,” below:

By Jeff Hohlstein

What do OODA, Three Mississippi’s, and a vehicle’s front wheels have in common? They can all be defensive driving tools that will alert and prepare you for potential conflict situations and avoid a crash.

In another year or so, I’ll enter that age range of 78–85, when most people decide to quit driving. Over the years, I’ve learned some tools that I hope will allow me to drive safely far beyond that range. I’m not a certified driving instructor, so I’ll describe the tools and how I use them. How you choose to use them is up to you.

The OODA Loop: See and avoid trouble

So what’s an OODA? The OODA Loop is a rapid decision-making tool developed by Retired Colonel John Boyd, USAF. In combat, OODA is used to totally confuse and demoralize the enemy. In defensive driving, OODA is a disciplined way of thinking that helps one see and avoid trouble. OODA stands for Observe > Orient > Decide > Act, and then do it again.

It sounds like common sense, doesn’t it? But then there’s a joke—Two crows were sitting in a tree above a corn field. Crow One said, “Let’s fly down and eat some corn.” Crow Two, “We can’t. There’s a man standing in the field.” Crow One, “That’s a scarecrow. If it was a man, he’d be looking at his cell phone.”

How many times do we see people who aren’t even observing? And, as we age, we need a conscious, disciplined decision-making tool to drive safely. OODA can be that tool. Let’s start with an easy example.

Three Mississippi’s: Three second rule

Traffic Safety Team

Bringing you home safely

Tag Archives: training

CarFit Technician Training