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. 

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.

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.