When it comes to road safety, Abbygail Patterson is a proud advocate.
The 17-year-old is developing a new documentary, One Split Second, as part of a road safety project aiming to drive positive change.
Development of the documentary is in its early stages. Abbygail, a head student leader at Thames High School, said it will be focused on dangerous driving, speeding, distraction, drink/drug driving and fatigue.
The safe driving advocate said her journey to the documentary began through her role as a national youth advocate in the Students Against Dangerous Driving (SADD) National Leadership Programme, where she said she saw firsthand the urgency of road safety. The young leader told The Profile her role as head student gave her “a deeper understanding” of her influence as a role model. “I’ve realised that this position carries a weight of responsibility that extends far beyond the classroom. It has challenged me to be more intentional with my own actions, knowing that my choices can set a standard for my peers,” she said.
“This documentary is an extension of that leadership to influence my community toward safer, more responsible decisions on the road.”
The “true inspiration” for One Split Second came from a desire to bridge the gap between awareness and reality, she said.
“I want to move beyond statistics and show the profound, ripple effect trauma that a single moment has on individuals, families, and entire communities. “I chose a documentary because the film captures the raw emotion that statistics can’t,” she said. “While data shows the problem and still works great, stories from individuals show the human cost. It is the most powerful way to make my generation truly feel the weight of their responsibility behind the wheel.”
Her primary vision is for the documentary to be integrated into the school curriculum, she said, as a way to ensure every student understood the real life impacts of dangerous driving.
Even though the project is rooted in protecting young drivers, the young advocate hoped the message would reach all ages, and would tackle the multi-layered dangers of fatigue, substance impairment and the risks faced by restricted drivers. It was clear how important the cause is to Abbygail.
“I have not fundraised money for this documentary, I am simply filming it on my camera from home and getting in touch with people. I am currently reaching out to the community for collaboration. I would love for anyone to get involved by sharing personal stories, relevant statistics, or local expertise,” she said.
The change-maker said she also recently launched the first ever SADD group at Thames High School.
“My goal is to build a lasting legacy that continues to protect our community long after I finish [school] this year. By involving my peers and local community members in this documentary, I hope to create a powerful, collective voice that drives real change and ensures road safety remains a priority for generations to come.”
To reduce dangerous driving, Abbygail said “we need to shift the culture from compliance to community care”.
“It’s not just about following rules to avoid a ticket, it’s about acknowledging that every person on the road is someone’s loved one.”
DETAILS: Email Abbygail to find out more about the project on: Abbygailpat16@gmail.com.
By DAVIDDA HIKATANGATA
