MECHANICSBURG, PA — The Shapiro Administration marked Older Driver Safety Awareness Week with a dedicated event at Messiah Lifeways, emphasizing the unique challenges older drivers face and the range of resources available to help them maintain safe mobility. Addressing a rapidly growing demographic—more than a quarter of Pennsylvania’s licensed drivers are aged 65 or older—the event underscored the importance of balancing independence and road safety.
“Mobility is essential to quality of life at any age,” stated Larry Shifflet, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Executive Deputy Secretary. “While many older drivers have a lifetime of valuable driving experience to draw from, PennDOT continually seeks to balance the safety of our roadways with the need for independence and autonomy.”
Challenges Facing Older Drivers
While national statistics show older drivers have fewer collisions per capita than their younger counterparts, their crashes per mile driven are higher due to aging-related changes. Physical, visual, and cognitive shifts can subtly impair an older person’s ability to drive safely. Furthermore, seasonal obstacles such as winter conditions, early nightfall, and holiday traffic amplify the difficulties faced by all drivers but tend to weigh particularly heavily on older individuals.
Lieutenant Adam Reed of the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) highlighted additional risks faced during this time of year. “Older drivers should ensure that their eye exams are up-to-date and understand how prescribed medications could affect their driving,” he advised. “And please remember…all drivers should buckle up every time!” Regular check-ins on driver confidence and physical ability were emphasized as essential.
Resources Supporting Older Drivers
Pennsylvania has implemented programs to support its aging driving population with resources tailored to sustain safety and autonomy. PennDOT and its partners introduced the “Find My Ride” tool, a leading example of technological innovation aimed at addressing the mobility needs of this demographic. With this user-friendly online platform, older residents can discover and access free or reduced-rate transportation services while transit agencies process their applications more efficiently.
Another vital resource is the CarFit program, created by the American Society on Aging and supported by AAA, AARP, and the American Occupational Therapy Association. Through personalized evaluations, this educational initiative helps older drivers optimize their vehicle fit, providing comfort, enhanced driving control, and an opportunity to discuss safety concerns with trained professionals.
Programs aimed at facilitating alternative transportation were also highlighted. The Senior Shared Ride Program, which provided over 2.4 million reduced-fare trips in the 2023-24 fiscal year, and the Free Transit Program for Seniors, which funded 24 million free trips during the same period, showcase Pennsylvania’s commitment to accessibility.
“Pennsylvania is fortunate that our lottery proceeds help to fund alternative services in transportation for its older citizens,” noted Jason Kavulich, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. “Providing accessible and flexible options is just as important as ensuring driver safety in how our older adults engage with their communities.”
Educational Resources and Safety Programs
PennDOT, alongside AAA and AARP, offers a plethora of education materials to guide older drivers and their families through the complexities of retirement from the road. The Seniors Driving Safely publication series, available for free on PennDOT’s website, equips readers with knowledge on topics ranging from safe-driving habits to how families can approach difficult conversations about the cessation of driving. Health care providers can also access resources detailing their role in PennDOT’s medical reporting program.
Safety reminders shared at the event included planning trips during daylight hours, avoiding rush-hour traffic, and maintaining safe distances between vehicles. Notably, drivers aged 55 and above can benefit financially by completing PennDOT-approved mature driver courses, which qualify participants for auto insurance discounts.
Data-Driven Decisions
More than 25 percent of Pennsylvania’s 9.1 million licensed drivers are aged 65 or older. Most of them rely on their vehicles to remain connected to their communities. However, their representation in crashes remains concerning. Of the 21,370 crashes involving at least one driver aged 65 or older in 2023, there were 330 fatalities, accounting for 27.3 percent of total traffic deaths in the state.
Identifying specific signs of impaired driving ability is essential to safety efforts. Indicators like unexplained vehicle damage, frequent “close calls,” slower response times, or difficulty navigating complex traffic situations can help families and individuals determine when alternative transportation is necessary.
A Collaborative Effort
“Older drivers face a number of challenges in addition to seasonal factors,” Reed remarked, underscoring the responsibility of families, the community, and state agencies to ensure sustained, safe mobility for Pennsylvania’s aging population. At the heart of this initiative lies the Administration’s steadfast dedication to fostering independence while prioritizing roadway safety for all.
Pennsylvania’s approach, combining innovation with empathy, sets an example for addressing the transportation needs of its aging residents. By encouraging collaboration between government departments, advocacy groups, and local communities, the state not only improves safety measures but also bolsters the quality of life for its older citizens.
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