NZ Student road safety group celebrates but work ahead
KIwi teens admit scrolled through social media while driving. International Photo: Melissa Mjoen
As Students Against Dangerous Driving (SADD) celebrates 40 years in New Zealand, it still has a long journey to go to make teens safe on our roads.
What began in 1985 as a grassroots response to the devastating toll of youth road crashes has grown into a nationwide movement led by thousands of passionate rangatahi who are stepping up to protect their peers and communities.
The Automobile Association (AA) has been by its side since 1986 wih funding from the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
Over four decades, SADD has evolved beyond its original focus on drink driving to tackle a wider range of harmful behaviours, from speeding and not wearing seatbelts, to the new raft of distractions that come with technology and social media.
Some of the SAAD ambassadors in 2011. Photo: SAAD
A recent survey of 1,000 young Kiwi drivers, commissioned by the AA Research Foundation, reveals the need for continued focus on reducing harmful behaviours behind the wheel.
Two-thirds (66%) admitted to speeding in a 50km/h zone, while one in five (22%) confessed to driving without a seatbelt. Alarmingly, 23% said they had scrolled through social media while driving.
These risky behaviours are reflected in the statistics, with one-third (35%) of respondents reporting they’ve been involved in a crash in the past five years.
SADD General Manager, Donna Govorko, says, “When it comes to young people on the road, whether they’re behind the wheel, cycling or even just walking, there are risks that will never completely go away,
“That’s why the work we do, with the continued support of the AA, is so important in helping to reduce the chances of a crash, injury, or worse.”
The SAAD conference was held in Cambridge this year.
AA Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer Simon Douglas says, “At the AA, we work across many fronts to improve road safety, from driver training to research and policy, and our partnership with SADD is an essential part of our programme.”
“Young drivers are seven times more likely to be involved in a fatal or serious crash in the first six months of solo driving. It’s inspiring to see how SADD has grown into such a strong youth voice and created opportunities for young drivers to lead the road safety conversation with their peers. Collaborating and building meaningful relationships between SADD and our wider AA whānau is something that we really value. We’re proud to have travelled alongside them for nearly four decades.”
