This year marks 40 years since Students Against Dangerous Driving (SADD) Kaitiaki o Ara began its mission to empower young people to make safer choices on New Zealand roads – and the Automobile Association (AA) has been by its side for every step of the journey.

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.

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.

Being New Zealand’s only student-led road safety charity, the AA has played a vital role in supporting SADD’s kaupapa since teaming up in 1986. In addition to critical funding from the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), this support goes beyond financial backing – it enables the delivery of a range of initiatives in schools that support safer behaviours on New Zealand roads, reduce deaths and serious injuries and loss of opportunities among rangatahi.

As well as contributing to SADD research, governance, people management, networking, marketing, and supporting communities through the AA’s 18 District Councils, AA also supported SADD in the launch of the Community Road Safety Programme in 2023. Also enabled by the Community Road Safety Fund (NZTA) these workshops expanded SADD’s reach to vulnerable road users who weren’t engaged in mainstream school-based programmes, such as young traffic offenders, and has been pivotal in engaging hard-to-reach demographics.

SADD General Manager, Donna Govorko, says, “We’re incredibly proud to celebrate 40 years in Aotearoa and everything our young leaders have achieved across generations. As the needs of rangatahi have evolved over time, so have we – intentionally moving away from the fear mongering tactics of the early days and instead showing the power of peer-to-peer education and empowerment.”

“The support from the AA and NZTA has been instrumental in enabling us to continue our mahi amidst tightening public funding streams and the new challenges our rangatahi are facing on the road. They have been the backbone of SADD, helping us prepare the next generation of road users.”

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.

“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,” adds Govorko. “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.”

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.”

Over the past 40 years, thousands of young New Zealanders have been part of the SADD movement and their impact goes far beyond the classroom. Former SADD students have gone on to win Road Safety Hero Awards, conduct academic research around driving, work with the New Zealand Institute of Driver Educators and represent youth voices in front of the Ministry of Transport, New Zealand Transport Agency and local councils. Many credit SADD with sparking their passion for social change.

Ex-Upper Hutt College student and SADD National Leader / Youth Representative, Tayla Hill, says, “What I love is how student-led SADD is. When I first joined, the team said, ‘You have our support - you just have to ask’. It empowers students to make change and understand why safety is so important.”

"I’m super proud of the opportunities SADD has given me. I’ve been able to represent SADD in front of the New Zealand Institute of Driver Educators, speak at the recent AA conference and continue making connections as I moved from Wellington to Hamilton. All of these experiences have meant a lot, allowing me to grow my network and continue doing rewarding work.”

About the Automobile Association (AA):

Founded in 1903, the Automobile Association (AA) is one of New Zealand’s largest membership organisations offering a wide range of products and services to its 1.1 million personal Members and roadside support for an additional 1 million vehicles through business relationships. The AA represents Members’ interests, championing road safety and advocating for road users in Government and the media.

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