Armaan Gill isn’t waiting until college to make a difference. As a student leader with Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), he’s already shaping how his peers think about safety—especially when it comes to distracted and impaired driving.
In this conversation, Armaan, who recently graduated from high school in rural Colorado, shares what inspired him to join SADD and how his experiences growing up near high-risk roadways inform his advocacy.
“In a rural community, you're often sharing the road with semis, farm equipment, and wide open highways,” he explains. “The crashes may be less frequent than in cities—but they’re more likely to be severe.” That, combined with the inexperience of new drivers, creates a dangerous mix. "We don't always realize how fast things can go wrong.”
For Armaan, distracted driving is one of the biggest concerns. Unlike drunk driving—which carries strong stigma—using a phone while behind the wheel is often brushed off, especially among teens. “It’s seen as normal, even harmless. But it’s just as dangerous, and the risks can be just as devastating.”
He also points to the unintended consequences of modern technology. “Cars are safer in many ways, but those big touchscreens? They’re distractions, too. You’re still taking your eyes off the road.”
One of the campaigns Armaan helped lead—“Lights Out for Distractions”—encouraged students to blackout their phones during prom season and sparked honest conversations about habits and consequences. Combined with personal stories from peers and teachers, it left a real impression. “Even small things, like putting your phone out of reach, can change behavior. We saw students becoming more focused just pulling out of the school parking lot.”
Armaan believes that peer-to-peer messaging is one of SADD’s greatest strengths, but he also sees room for improvement in how young drivers are educated. “A lot of driver’s ed has moved online, and students can breeze through it. We need more real conversations—about distractions, about how rural driving differs from city driving, about the realities we face behind the wheel.”
What can transportation professionals do? Stay engaged. Build relationships. Listen. “We want to learn from you—but we also have ideas that can help. If we collaborate, we’ll save more lives.”
Watch the full interview with Armaan Gill to hear how youth-led advocacy is helping shift behaviors—and why small decisions matter more than ever.