Safety Speaks Louder this SAFER September
At Kaitiaki o Ara/SADD, we believe that every young person has the power to make a significant impact when it comes to road safety. This is what SAFER September is all about—a month dedicated to raising awareness, fostering conversations, and empowering youth to lead by example in keeping our roads safer.
Why Does SAFER September Exist?
Every year, we lose too many young lives to preventable road crashes. For many young drivers, the road can be a place of freedom and independence, but it can also be a place of risk, particularly when peer pressure, inexperience, and risky behaviors come into play. SAFER September is a time to work together to address the statistics and make sure everyone around us knows what they can do to be safer on the road.
This campaign is designed to:
Empower Youth to Take Action: We believe young people are not just part of the solution—you are the solution. By encouraging young drivers to take the lead in promoting safe driving practices among your peers, we can create a culture of accountability and responsibility on the roads.
Promote Peer-to-Peer Conversations: Young people are more likely to listen to their friends than to adults. That’s why we’re focusing on equipping you with the tools and confidence to have honest and impactful conversations about road safety with your friends and peers.
Support Those in Difficult Situations: It’s not always easy to speak up, especially when faced with peer pressure. SAFER September aims to provide practical strategies for young people to handle difficult situations—whether it’s saying no to a risky ride or convincing a friend to slow down.
How You Can Get Involved
SAFER September is all about community, action, and impact. Here’s how you can join the movement:
Be a road safety advocate: Take a stand for road safety in your community. Whether you’re organising fun activities at your school or sharing messages on social media, every action counts. Check out the resources available on our webpage to help you with this. There are over 40 activity ideas to inspire you!
Start the conversation: Take the opportunity to hold a discussion about road safety. Discuss challenges, experiences and come up with solutions together. It’s a great way to learn from each other and build a stronger, safer community. Our conversation cards are a great resource for this!
Share your story: Have you had a close call on the road or managed to avoid a risky situation? Sharing your story can inspire others to make safer choices. Send your story to us, and we’ll share it on our platforms to spread the word.
Support us on social media: Follow @SADDNZ on social media and use the hashtag #SAFERSeptember to share your involvement and inspire others. The more voices we have, the louder our message will be! You can even download the images below and post it alongside one of our key messages to help raise awareness in your community.
You control your own actions behind the wheel. Don’t let others pressure you into taking risks like speeding or showing off. Safe driving isn’t just about following rules—it’s about respecting your life and the lives of others.
Speak up when it comes to safety. In Aotearoa, too many young lives are lost due to peer pressure on the road. Speak loud—your voice could be the difference between a fun night out and a tragedy.
Set the standard for safety by encouraging your friends to drive responsibly. When you lead by example—whether by refusing to drive distracted or always wearing a seatbelt—your friends are more likely to follow.
Together, We Can Make a Difference
Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, and SAFER September is our call to action. Let’s work together to create a safer environment for all young people on New Zealand’s roads. Get involved, spread the word, and most importantly, set the pace for safer driving.
Join us this September and be part of the change. Together, we can make a difference!