Safe Decisions Start with Supported People: Rethinking Traffic Safety Through SADD's Mission

SADD changed from Students Against Drunk Driving to Students Against Destructive Decisions for a reason. It was not just a rebrand. It was an admission that drunk driving was never the whole story about destructive driving. Drunk driving is not the only aspect that can interfere with traffic safety and the overall well-being of people. There is currently a mental health crisis, especially within the younger generation. There are similar risk factors between mental health issues and risky driving. The best suicide prevention starts early because early intervention can catch vulnerability before destructive decisions start. The most change comes from peer-to-peer awareness, which is what SADD is built on.

Mental health and traffic safety have the same risk factors. A student who may be isolated, sleep-deprived, or using substances is not only at a higher risk for depression, but also at a higher risk for impaired judgment, distraction, and recklessness on the road. We cannot treat these as separate issues because they are so connected. The peer-to-peer model that SADD uses is effective because students trust each other more. This also allows risks to be identified early in students' lives.

It is important to bridge together the shared risk factors of suicide, depressive thoughts, and distracted driving. Some examples are:

Depression and isolation → impaired judgment and slow response behind the wheel

Substance use as coping → impaired driving

Sleep deprivation and emotional dysregulation → distracted or reckless driving

Supporting your peers and friends mentally also keeps them and others safe on the road.

The total safety concept can be applied to safe driving because it promotes physical and emotional well-being as inseparable. A driver who is supported, rested, and mentally steady is a safe driver. Therefore, supporting a peer's mental health is also a form of traffic safety.

It is important to know the signs of depression and suicidal thoughts, and how to use your actions to help your peers or yourself.

Here are a few important signs:

Withdrawal from friends and family

Increased risky behavior

Talk of hopelessness

Substance misuse

Peers should know where to point someone to get help. Knowing the resource is half the job. Being able to say something is the other half.

Know the resources available to you and your peers in the community and at school:

Counseling

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Crisis Text Line

When you know someone who is showing these signs, it is important to voice your concerns.

It is important to practice the conversation so you know what you want to say, and it reduces awkwardness.

Sample script: "Hey, I've noticed you seem off lately. I'm here for you. Do you want to talk?"

Lastly, it is important to know QPR, which stands for Question, Persuade, Refer. The QPR Institute shows that through an evidence-based, one-hour gatekeeper training, anyone can learn to recognize the warning signs of suicide, confidently ask about suicidal thoughts, persuade the person to get help, and refer them to professional resources.

I invite you to take the first step, such as saving the 988 number, completing QPR, or checking in on at least one friend. This aligns with the SADD mission: safe decisions start with supported people.