The New Zealand Automobile Association (AA) and Kaitiaki o Ara / Students Against Dangerous Driving (SADD) want all Kiwi drivers to start using the Do Not Disturb feature of their mobile phones this September as distracted driving figures reveal a stark reality.
Of the 1000 young drivers surveyed in 2025 by the AA Research Foundation, almost 1 in 4 admitted to scrolling social media while driving and more than half texting or messaging.
It’s estimated by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) that a driver is about four times more likely to be involved in a crash when using a phone.
SADD General Manager Donna Govorko says younger drivers are significantly more prone to phone distractions when they’re behind the wheel.
“This is the generation who have grown up in a time when social media and mobile phones are rooted in our daily lives, but we cannot let distracted driving become the norm when lives are at stake. That’s why we want our young drivers, and indeed all drivers, to try out the Do Not Disturb feature on their smartphone whenever they are behind the wheel.”
Do Not Disturb is a modern phone function that silences all notifications indefinitely or for a pre-determined period of time.
Donna says, “By removing the temptation of alerts and vibrations, hopefully people are more likely to concentrate on the road ahead and their actions behind the wheel.”
New Zealand’s young drivers currently have the highest rates of road deaths in the OECD, rates which are substantially above older age groups in New Zealand.
AA Road Safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen says if New Zealand had the same rate of road deaths among young people as Australia does, there would be 20 less deaths each year. He believes Do Not Disturb could be a game changer.
“There are a lot of small habits that play a huge role in safe driving; not following too close, looking well ahead on the road, sticking to a safe speed for the conditions - the list goes on.
“Putting your phone in Do Not Disturb before hitting the road is an effective and incredibly easy strategy to limit distractions, taking about three seconds – that can be as quick as putting on your seatbelt.
“Adopting good driving habits at a young age can set drivers up for a lifetime of safer driving and ultimately save lives.”
In their newest road safety campaign, SADD is encouraging New Zealand youth to ‘show up’ for their peers and take responsibility for their choices.
Donna says, “Showing up doesn’t mean doing something huge or dramatic, it can just mean making choices that show you care. Whether it’s speaking up, stepping in, or simply setting a good example, there are heaps of easy ways youth can show up for their friends, school, and community.
“Getting your mate to buckle up, stopping your friend from driving drunk, or pointing out Do Not Disturb to your driver are all simple and potentially life-saving ways our rangatahi can make a difference.”
SADD Deputy Youth Rep Olivia Adie adds, “When it comes to preventing distractions, choosing to do nothing is still a choice. That’s why showing up for each other and encouraging mates to form good driving habits to limit distractions is so important for road safety.
To get involved and for more information on the Show Up campaign, visit Show Up — Students Against Dangerous Driving