HARRISBURG, PA — As the holiday season accelerates, state officials and aging advocates are issuing a broad appeal to Pennsylvania’s older residents: stay safe on the road, take advantage of mobility resources, and be aware of new protections that help seniors maintain vital prescription benefits.
At a community event last week at the White Rose Senior Center in York, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Department of Aging, State Police, Insurance Department, and AAA outlined a sweeping set of tools designed to help older drivers remain independent while navigating age-related challenges and heavy seasonal traffic.
“Mobility is essential to quality of life at any age, especially as friends and families gather to celebrate the holiday season,” said PennDOT Executive Deputy Secretary Larry Shifflet. He emphasized the agency’s dual mission of maintaining roadway safety while supporting older adults’ autonomy. In 2024, crashes involving drivers 65 or older accounted for nearly 20 percent of all statewide crashes and more than a quarter of all traffic fatalities.
Aging Secretary Jason Kavulich said the Shapiro Administration views senior mobility as central to community engagement, noting that Pennsylvania Lottery proceeds fund key transportation alternatives. Senior shared-ride services provided more than 2.7 million trips in the last fiscal year, while the Free Transit Program for residents 65 and older delivered more than 25 million rides.
Officials urged families to recognize the subtle physical, visual, and cognitive changes that can affect safe driving. State Police Captain Adam Reed highlighted holiday-specific risks such as winter weather, early nightfall, and heavier traffic. He encouraged older drivers to keep up with eye exams, understand how medications may impair driving, and always wear seat belts.
To support older residents who may no longer feel comfortable behind the wheel, PennDOT and the Department of Human Services launched Find My Ride, an online tool that streamlines access to free and reduced-fare transit services. The portal, available at findmyride.penndot.pa.gov, allows transit agencies to process applications more quickly and helps eligible users receive benefits with fewer delays.
Deputy Insurance Commissioner David Buono also urged older motorists to review their auto insurance policies regularly, noting that changes in driving habits — including reduced mileage — can create opportunities for cost savings.
PennDOT continues to offer guidance through its Seniors Driving Safely publication series, which helps families assess when it may be time to limit or end driving. AAA and its partners also promote CarFit, a national program that teaches older drivers how to adjust their vehicles for better visibility, comfort, and control.
The Shapiro Administration is pairing transportation resources with new financial protections. Governor Josh Shapiro recently signed House Bill 923 — now Act 49 of 2025 — extending the cost-of-living moratorium that shields more than 20,000 older Pennsylvanians from losing prescription drug benefits due to Social Security COLA increases. The extension for the PACE and PACENET programs now runs through December 31, 2027.
“The PACE and PACENET programs play an important role in supporting older adults and offering tremendous savings by helping them pay for their prescription medications,” Kavulich said. He encouraged eligible seniors to enroll, noting that the programs currently serve more than 250,000 Pennsylvanians.
The administration’s 2025–26 budget also invests more than $10 million to strengthen services offered through the state’s 52 Area Agencies on Aging, including protective services, community centers, caregiver support, and in-home assistance through the OPTIONS program.
From roadway safety to prescription security, state leaders said the holiday season offers a timely reminder that older Pennsylvanians have a growing toolbox of support to remain connected, mobile, and healthy.
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