Resources offered to assist older Pennsylvanians continue to get where they need to go safely

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA), Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID), and the American Automobile Association (AAA) this week shared safe driving advice and resources available for older Pennsylvanians with residents.

“Mobility is essential to quality of life at any age, especially as friends and families gather to celebrate the holiday season,” said Larry Shifflet, 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.”

In 2024, there were 21,986 crashes involving at least one driver aged 65 or older that resulted in 308 total fatalities. This represents 19.8% of all crashes and 27.3% of all fatalities. Older drivers generally have fewer crashes per driver than the national average — but they have more crashes per mile of driving.

“Ensuring that older adults have the resources they need to remain active in and connected to their communities is an important focus of the Shapiro Administration,” said Jason Kavulich, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA). “Driver safety and working with our partners to provide accessible and flexible transportation alternatives are important parts of how older adults navigate in our community. Pennsylvania lottery proceeds help to fund alternative services in transportation for our older citizens.”

Pennsylvania has a network of shared-ride service providers dedicated to keeping older adults mobile, safe, and engaged in their community. The Senior Shared Ride Program allows seniors to ride at a reduced fare. More than 2.7 million senior shared ride trips were provided in 2024 and 2025.

Additionally, the Free Transit Program for Seniors allows citizens aged 65 or older to ride a local, fixed-route service for free whenever local public transportation is operating. During 2024 and 2025, more than 25 million senior Free Transit Trips were taken.

While everyone ages differently, aging typically brings certain — sometimes subtle — physical, visual, and cognitive changes that could impair an older person’s ability to drive safely. Older drivers and their families should work together to identify potential issues that may affect driving, outline courses of action to assist the older driver, and plan for when it’s time to hang up the keys.

“Some factors that may pose challenges for drivers of all ages, but especially older drivers, include adverse winter weather conditions, longer nights, and heavy holiday traffic,” said Captain Adam Reed, assistant director of community outreach for the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). “To help ensure their safety on the roadways, older drivers should make sure their eye exams are up-to-date and understand how prescribed medications could affect their driving. And please remember…all drivers should always buckle up.”

To help older drivers who may have difficulty driving, PennDOT partnered with the PA Department of Human Services and transit agencies to develop an online tool called Find My Ride that allows older drivers to access free ride services online. The app allows transit agencies to process applications more efficiently, so users can access benefits more quickly.

The app can be found at findmyride.penndot.pa.gov or at www.pa.gov/penndot by clicking on Traveling in PA, then Public Transit Options.

Pugh celebrates PUC vote

Rep. Brenda Pugh, R-Dallas Township, this week issued the following statement regarding the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) vote to suspend and investigate proposed rate increases by Pennsylvania American Water Company (PAWC) for both its water and wastewater service for 37 counties across the Commonwealth:

“I’m happy the commission voted unanimously to investigate this proposed rate increase, which has the potential to increase monthly service charges between 9.8% and 54.14%, depending on the service and service area,” Pugh said. “A rate increase like this could wreak havoc on the family budget, and to say this type of increase would cause a financial burden on households would be an understatement.”

The rate increase request was set to go into effect Jan. 13, 2026; however, the rate increase is now suspended for up to seven months for the PUC to review the filing and conduct public hearings. Dates and times for those hearings will be forthcoming once scheduled.

Written complaints are also taken into consideration. Consumers can download a form at www.puc.pa.gov/filing-resources/forms/complaint-forms/ or write a letter to The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, Post Office Box 3265, Harrisburg, PA 17105-3265.

A final decision on the proposed rate increases is due by Aug. 13, 2026.

Support for crime victims available during holidays

As we dive deeper into the holiday season, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) and Women In Need Victim Services are reminding victims and survivors of crime that help and resources — including the Victims Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP) — remain available.

“While the holidays are often looked at as a joyful time, they can be especially difficult for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other crimes,” said Kathy Buckley, director of PCCD’s Office of Victims’ Services. “Many survivors face increased isolation, financial strain, and the emotional impact of trauma during this time, leaving many feeling unsafe or overwhelmed. Local victim service providers — like Women in Need Victim Services — across the state are ready to listen, support, and stand with you. Help is always available, even throughout the holiday season. You don’t have to face this alone.”

Research shows that violence and abuse rates can go up during times of stress, including during the holidays. Stressors such as increased alcohol consumption, travel planning, financial strain, societal expectations, and more time spent indoors can worsen existing domestic violence or abuse.

It’s important for individuals experiencing violence or other crimes to know that there are hundreds of programs across Pennsylvania that can provide support, resources, advocacy, and assistance if you or someone you know is struggling.

PSP welcomes 49 new troopers

After completing approximately 27 weeks of training, 49 new troopers were welcomed to the Pennsylvania State Police by Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris during the 174th Cadet Class graduation at LCBC Manheim.

The 2025-26 state budget includes funding for four cadet classes. Since taking office, Gov. Josh Shapiro has secured funding for twelve cadet classes to train over 1,000 new Pennsylvania State Troopers and obtained funding through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) to help municipal police departments recruit and retain nearly 700 municipal police officers across the Commonwealth.

To date, more than 550 cadets have graduated and joined the ranks of PSP under Shapiro’s leadership.

“For nearly six months at our Academy, this elite group of dedicated women and men remained focused, motivated, disciplined, and committed to earning the rank of trooper,” Paris said.

The 174th Cadet Class is the fourth class to graduate from the PSP Academy without a college credit requirement for the trooper position. The state waived the college credit requirement for applicants in August 2023. As a result, PSP that year saw a 258% increase in the number of applicants taking the trooper test.

The new troopers will report to the following troops on Dec. 15.

Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.