4 December 2025
As young people across New Zealand hit the road for festivals, camping, and summer activities, Students Against Dangerous Driving - Kaitiaki o Ara (SADD) are backing the warnings from young car crash survivors to take control of their safety and lead by example.
Bridie Young and Soraya Newton were separately involved in major car crashes resulting from a drunk driver, both facing severe injuries and lengthy rehabilitation. They are now collaborating with SADD to help others make better choices.
Bridie was 19 and a passenger of an intoxicated driver when a violent crash left her with broken bones, internal bleeding and a brain injury.
She says she didn’t think it would ever happen to her.
“I was bedridden for a few months following the crash. I couldn’t talk, hold my head up or even move my body.
“I lost 3 years of my life.”
Soraya Newton was also a passenger in a crash when a drunk driver lost control. She was 15 at the time, and her family were told it was unlikely she would survive.
New Zealand currently has about 90 deaths and 600 serious injuries a year from crashes where a young driver is judged to be at fault, according to Ministry of Transport data.
SADD General Manager Donna Govorko praised the resilience of the two women, whose experiences serve as a sobering reminder that one poor decision can have a lifelong impact.
Donna says, “Bridie and Soraya’s stories are heartbreaking — but they’re also hopeful. They show that even after tragedy, there’s strength, and a message that can save others.”
Bridie wants to educate other young people around New Zealand on the risks of drunk and dangerous driving.
“I want to stop others from making the same mistakes we did and encourage them to call out if someone is doing something they shouldn’t—it might be awkward in the moment, but it’s worth it if it keeps you and your friends alive.”
Soraya echoes Bridie’s view, stating “If I can stop one person from making the same mistake, it’s worth it.
“‘You only live once, so treasure it’; that’s the message I really want to get out there.”
Donna says young people should speak up before getting in a car with a drunk driver, as well as look out for their friends, stand up to peer pressure and call out when someone is driving distracted.
“Stay off your phone, drive to the conditions and always within the limit, and never drink and drive are the messages we really want to hammer home for our young people this summer.
“SADD is celebrating 40 years of empowering young road users to choose safer road user behaviours; we are so proud of the amazing youth that stand up and speak out to influence their peers to save lives on our roads”.
Students Against Dangerous Driving/Kaitiaki o Ara (SADD) is a nationwide, youth-led programme that empowers young people to prevent road trauma by making safer choices and influencing their peers. It supports young people across New Zealand to develop leadership skills and promote positive road safety behaviours. SADD’s vision is to see young people take active roles in creating safer roads for everyone — through education, peer influence, and community action.