Rangitoto College Students Take the Wheel on Road Safety: an Interview with RangiSADD

Welcome to an exclusive insight into Rangitoto College’s own "Students Against Dangerous Driving" (RangiSADD) group! Our mission is to raise awareness about safe driving practices among our school cohort, empowering students to make safer choices on the road. We’re Yuna, Daisy, Chloe, Gabriel, Ruihan, and Ellie, and we’re here to share our journey with you.

Introduction and Inspiration

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

We are a group of six passionate students from Rangitoto College, ranging from Year 11 to 13. As leaders of the RangiSADD group, we aim to spread our message of road safety to all students, from Year 9 to 13.

What inspired you to start the "Students Against Dangerous Driving" group?

We noticed that many young drivers at our school were unaware of their driving habits, leading to road trauma and accidents. We believed that bringing SADD’s goals to our college would benefit everyone and provide a great leadership opportunity to organise events and give back to our community.

Was there a specific incident or personal experience that motivated you to take action against dangerous driving?

Hearing stories of road accidents from news articles and friends or family inspired us to form the Rangitoto College SADD group. We wanted to raise awareness and help prevent dangerous driving among our peers.

What parts of the SADD program stood out to your group?

Attending the Auckland SADD Conference at King's College was a highlight. We gained valuable knowledge and focused on the peer pressure aspect of driving on a restricted licence. Through a short video, we explained how easily peer pressure can impact young drivers and lead to serious consequences.

Group Formation and Goals

When did you start the RangiSADD group?

We established our SADD group at the start of 2024. This is our first year, and it has been amazing!

How did you go about forming the group? What were the initial steps you took?

Inspired by the existing SADD group at Kristin School and their activities, we decided to bring SADD to our school. The goals of SADD are highly relevant to young people, and we believed that early awareness about safe driving would positively influence our school community.

What are the primary goals and objectives of "Students Against Dangerous Driving"?

Our main goal is to empower young adults to make conscious decisions on the road. We aim to create a positive influence across our cohort by addressing safe driving, an important issue in New Zealand, especially among youth.

Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles

What challenges did you face in the early stages of forming the group?

Forming the group in early 2024 presented some challenges, as it was our first time organising these events.

How did you overcome these challenges?

We hold weekly meetings during intervals to discuss and organise events. We also have a group chat to share information throughout the week and update members who couldn’t attend meetings.

Were there any moments when you doubted the success of the group? If so, how did you persevere?

No, everyone has communicated effectively and ensured that events are carried out with minimal risk of failure. After each event, we reflect as a group on areas of improvement.

Community Impact and Activities

How has the group been received by students and the wider community?

The group has been well-received by both students and the wider community. Our first event, a Kahoot quiz, helped students learn about SADD and its mission to make our roads safer.

Can you share some of the activities and events that your group organises to raise awareness about dangerous driving?

Our Road Safety Expo was a huge success! We collaborated with VTNZ and the local police, featuring a virtual driving simulator, sausage sizzle, and a bake sale with fun treats like teddy bear racing cars made from brownies and M&Ms. It was a fun way to raise awareness about road safety.

Collaboration and Support

Do you collaborate with other organisations or groups to further your cause?

We regularly communicate and collaborate with Kerry, our SADD representative at SADD NZ. [The RangiSADD group has also collaborated with Auckland Transport and NZPolice at their recent workshop - Kerry].

How do you engage with local authorities and schools to promote your message?

We work closely with our school leadership and local authorities to promote road safety.

What kind of support have you received from parents, teachers, and community leaders?

We’ve received tremendous support from parents, teachers, and community leaders, helping us run our group and support our initiatives.

Personal Reflections and Growth

How has starting and leading this group impacted you personally?

This experience has boosted our confidence and leadership skills. We feel more capable of taking on new challenges and have formed strong bonds with students and teachers alike.

What have you learned about leadership and advocacy through this experience?

We’ve learned that leadership is about taking responsibility and initiative, even when things are new for everyone. Effective communication and problem-solving are key.

How do you balance your responsibilities with the group and your personal or academic life?

We manage our responsibilities by keeping organised with notepads and planning our days to ensure we meet both group and personal or academic commitments.

Future Plans and Vision

What are your future plans for "Students Against Dangerous Driving"?

We aim to continue our work with SADD at Rangitoto College and inspire others to become safer drivers. Our goal is to have a lasting positive impact on our community.

Are there any upcoming projects or initiatives you’re excited about?

We’re planning a workshop with Auckland Transport and our local Police to encourage more students to join the SADD community and raise awareness about dangerous driving.

How do you envision the group evolving over the next few years?

We hope the RangiSADD group will continue to grow and maintain its presence at the college, raising awareness and addressing the dangers of dangerous driving.

Advice for Others

What advice would you give to other students who are passionate about making a difference in their communities?

Don’t wait for someone else to make a change. If you’re passionate about an issue, take the initiative and reach out to your community for support.p

How can someone start a similar group or initiative in their own school or community?

Talk to your teachers and leadership staff to understand how to start a club at your school. Finding supportive teachers is crucial. We’re grateful for the support of Ms. Al-Safi and Mr. Chao.

What key takeaways or tips would you share for running a successful advocacy group?

Passion and authenticity are key. Being genuinely committed to your cause will shine through in your work and inspire others.

Final Thoughts

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your journey with "Students Against Dangerous Driving"?

Our main message is to bring attention to the problem of dangerous driving and ultimately prevent accidents on the roads. We’re on a mission to raise awareness and seek your support to help us make a difference.

How can people support your group or get involved in your cause?

Students at Rangitoto College can support us by participating in our events and workshops.

What message do you want to leave with our readers about the importance of safe driving and student activism?

We want to empower students to foster a culture of safe driving. Educating youth about safe driving is crucial because habits formed early can last a lifetime. Together, we can make a positive impact on road safety.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. Let’s drive safe and make a difference together!