Depending on where you reside in Butler County, it can be quite a challenge to get anything done without a car. Without a driver’s license and a set of car keys to boot, a trip to the grocery store or a visit to the doctor is out of reach for many county residents.

But for some aging Butler County residents, this is the reality. Driving may not be an option as drivers notice signs that indicate they aren’t able to drive as well as before.

According to a news release from Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration, about 25% of the state’s 9.1 million licensed drivers are 65 and older.

In 2021, there were more than 19,700 crashes involving at least one driver aged 65 or older, which resulted in over 300 total fatalities, said the news release, which was sent out for Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, which is observed Dec. 5 through 9.

This represents about 17% of all crashes and about 25% of all fatalities.

This speaks to the importance of knowing your ability and asking for help as needed.

Signs that indicate it’s time to stop driving include feeling uncomfortable or nervous when driving; unexplained dents or scrapes on the car, fence or garage doors; frequently getting lost or having close calls while driving; slower response times; difficulty paying attention to signs or staying in the lane of traffic; and trouble judging gaps at intersections.

And for families of aging loved ones, it’s a statistic that speaks to the importance of looking out for your loved ones.

It’s groceries and doctors appointments for some — both needed travel. But for others, it’s also so important to remain active in our community.

Older adults still have so much life to live. It’s important that our community ensure they have the resources they need to remain active in and connected.

Older drivers and their families can collaborate to come up with a plan related to driving. Maybe driving at night is especially challenging? Maybe short trips are OK, but a longer distance should not be tackled?

It’s important to be aware of the driver’s ability. The consequences of not knowing are too costly.

It’s worth noting that resources are available here in Butler County.

The Butler Transit Authority has its routes posted on its website. The routes include Butler Township, Butler City, Center and Summit townships, per the website. Commuter routes also travel between Butler and Pittsburgh.

The Butler Area Rural Transit operates six days a week and provides on average 275-300 trips per day, according to its website. BART can be reached at 724-282-6060.

Additional information on older driver safety and mobility resources is available at both the PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services and the Department of Aging websites.

— TL