By Sharndré Kushor
SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving) are optimistic new laws which provide for a zero tolerance alcohol limit for drivers under 20 will reduce road risks for young people around the country.
SADD Awareness Week which took place last month coincided with the new law changes and was themed around the zero tolerance legislation.
The theme ‘Be a Zero Hero’ was developed by the 230 students who attended the 2011 SADD Conference earlier this year.
During SADD Awareness Week, various activities and campaigns were run in schools to promote greater awareness and education around the issue of drink driving in our communities.
Barbara Cavanagh, Principal at Albany Senior High School said, “I am very impressed with the commitment by the SADD group at ASHS. The students have spoken at assembly, orchestrated a SADD photo and they are planning a Lock Pledge. It is inspiring to see the time and effort these young people are prepared to put in to make a difference to the choices our young people make.”
Prior to the zero tolerance law one of the biggest challenge for teenagers was judging how much alcohol was too much.
Anne Reid, Chief Executive of SADD points out that a zero limit will clear this up for young drivers and keep them, passengers and other road users much safer in the process.
She says changes to the law are long overdue.
“These changes to the law for a zero alcohol tolerance alcohol for drivers under 20 have been welcomed with open arms by SADD which is committed to promoting the sober driving message to young drivers and to educate their peers on how the law change could affect them. As a SADD leader I feel positive that being a “zero hero” will greatly contribute towards safer roads for New Zealanders,” she says.
Sharndré Kushor is working with UNICEF as part of the 3Youth project, an upcoming section of the 3 News website focusing on social issues and written by young people.