Students Against Dangerous Driving: 40-year journey improving driver safety
Students Against Dangerous Driving (Sadd) is celebrating 40 years helping young people drive safely.
Olivia Reid looks at the organisation's long history in Whanganui.
Whanganui Girls' College was the second school in the country to jump on board the Sadd programme, initiated in 1985 by an American exchange
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NZ Autocar
a day ago
- NZ Autocar
SADD Marks 40 Years of Empowering Kiwi Youth for Road Safety
Students Against Dangerous Driving (SADD) is celebrating 40 years of helping young New Zealanders make safer choices on the road. A news item about SADD from The Dominion, 1991. Originally founded in the United States in 1981, the movement arrived in New Zealand in 1985. It started here thanks to an American exchange student at Mahurangi College. Initially known as Students Against Driving Drunk and supported by Rotary and the AA, SADD grew into a national organisation by the late 1980s. Today, it involves over 200 schools and stands as Australasia's only student-led road safety education programme. In 2014, SADD expanded its focus to become Students Against Dangerous Driving. That reflects a broader commitment to tackling a wider range of road risks, including speeding, seatbelt use, driver fatigue, and mobile phone distractions. The group has shifted away from using scare tactics towards peer-to-peer education, recognising the effectiveness of youth influence in promoting safer behaviour. SADD conference. General Manager Donna Govorko says SADD's strength lies in its ability to evolve with young people's needs, supporting students not only with safety messaging but also on securing their driver licence. A recent AA Research Foundation survey of 1000 young drivers highlighted the importance of this work. Two-thirds admitted to speeding, and over one-fifth had driven without a seatbelt or had used social media while driving. One-third had been involved in a crash in the past five years. SADD's approach includes leadership development, evidence-based programmes, and national conferences to foster a youth-led safety culture. Its 'Kaitiaki o Ara' branding, incorporating te reo Māori, reinforces its mission as guardians of the road journey. Ex-students involved in SADD like Sterling Maxwell and Tayla Hill exemplify the long-term impact of the movement. Maxwell became SADD's first youth board trustee and formed a Māori advisory group, receiving a national road safety award for her efforts. Hill, another former group leader, has represented SADD at national forums, further advancing youth-led safety initiatives. SADD continues to call for every secondary school to participate, helping foster a generation of responsible, informed road users.
NZ Herald
a day ago
- NZ Herald
Students Against Dangerous Driving: 40-year journey improving driver safety
Students Against Dangerous Driving (Sadd) is celebrating 40 years helping young people drive safely. Olivia Reid looks at the organisation's long history in Whanganui. Whanganui Girls' College was the second school in the country to jump on board the Sadd programme, initiated in 1985 by an American exchange
Otago Daily Times
12-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Matariki Motor Muster fundraiser returning
The time has come for the staging of the third annual Geraldine Matariki Motor Muster. Held over Matariki weekend, the event will begin with a cruise on Friday, June 20, followed by a show at Kennedy Park on Saturday, June 21 between 10am and 2pm. In a statement, event co-ordinator Howard Brockie said last year's event was a tremendous success. "[It] raised $5000 towards the construction of the permanent helipad for the Geraldine area, and feedback after the event indicated that the local community benefited to the tune of approximately $90,000 over the weekend. "Each of the events held so far have seen just under 300 vehicles descend on Kennedy Park with participants having travelled from as far as Te Anau and Invercargill in the south to Blenheim in the north." The Geraldine Lions Club will again have its popular barbecue stall operating along with the Stormy Brew Coffee cart, and a small number of automotive-themed stalls will be selling man-cave items, such as die-cast model cars. Mr Brockie said all funds raised this year would be going to the local St John. "Funds raised will be used to replace AED defibrillators in the Geraldine area. Once again, admission will be by donation both for people displaying vehicles and those attending the show. "A lot of shows charge larger amounts for the entrants than the viewing public but without the cars, we have no show, so why charge them more? "This is only possible thanks to the help of sponsors like The Village Inn, who once again are the main sponsor for this year's event. However, there are many other businesses in town who have got behind the event and it is growing into a real community event." The vehicles on display will range from hot rods and vintage cars to American muscle cars, exotic sports cars and motorbikes. Notably, this year's display will also include a 1926 4.5-litre Bentley and a 1924 Mercer that won the 1924 New Zealand Motor Cup. The event will be held no matter the weather and attendees will be encouraged to vote for their favourite vehicle to determine the people's choice award. — APL
