Preventing Distracted Driving Before Tragedy Happens
Distracted driving can change a life in seconds. Hunter’s Fund helps students lead Safe Driving Week campaigns that turn awareness into action—through pledge tables, campus events, peer-to-peer conversations, and Hunter’s Pledge not to drive distracted.
Created in memory of Hunter Watson, who was killed as a passenger in a distracted-driving accident while in college, Hunter’s Fund works to reach young drivers before tragedy happens. We believe students can be powerful messengers when they remind one another that every choice behind the wheel matters.
Through Safe Driving Week, student volunteers set up in high-traffic areas on campus, talk with classmates, and ask them to make a simple promise: put the phone away, stay focused, and drive with care.
More than 200 Safe Driving Weeks have been hosted on college and high school campuses, and more than 125,000 students have signed Hunter’s Pledge.
Why This Work Matters
No family should lose someone they love because of a moment of distraction behind the wheel.
Distracted driving is preventable, but changing behavior takes more than a warning. It takes repeated reminders, peer influence, and a personal commitment before a dangerous choice becomes a habit.
Hunter’s Fund reaches young drivers at a critical time in their lives. Through student-led Safe Driving Week campaigns, volunteers talk with classmates, share Hunter’s story, and ask them to sign Hunter’s Pledge not to drive distracted.
Every pledge is more than a signature. It is a moment when a young person stops, thinks, and chooses to drive with care..
Hunter’s Story
Hunter Watson was a college student with a generous spirit, a creative mind, and a gift for bringing people together. When he was killed as a passenger in a distracted-driving accident, his family and friends created Hunter’s Fund to turn heartbreak into action.
Today, Hunter’s story is shared with students across the country to help prevent other families from experiencing the same loss. Through Safe Driving Week, students remind one another that one moment of distraction can change everything—and one pledge can help save a life.fore tragedy happens.
What Hunter’s Fund Does
Hunter’s Fund helps students lead Safe Driving Week campaigns that turn awareness into action.
Student volunteers set up pledge-signing tables in high-traffic areas on campus, talk with classmates about distracted driving, and invite them to sign Hunter’s Pledge not to drive distracted. Many groups also host creative events—such as car washes, 5K runs, Pie in the Face fundraisers, dine-and-donate nights, or petting zoos—to bring students together and make the message memorable.
Hunter’s Fund provides campaign kits, planning guides, pledge materials, posters, banners, fundraising tools, and support from our team. The campaign is designed to be simple to organize, student-led, and personal.
At its core, Safe Driving Week is about one student reaching another with a message
Our Impact
Safe Driving Week began as one way to honor Hunter’s life. Today, it has grown into a student-led movement reaching campuses across the country.
Because of student volunteers, campus partners, and generous supporters:
More than 200 Safe Driving Weeks have been hosted on college and high school campuses.
More than 125,000 students have signed Hunter’s Pledge not to drive distracted.
Thousands of students have been reached through pledge tables, campus events, peer-to-peer conversations, videos, posters, and social media.
Fraternities, sororities, student organizations, schools, alumni, parents, and donors have helped carry the message forward.
Every number represents something personal: a student who stopped to listen, a conversation that may be remembered behind the wheel, and a choice that could help prevent a tragedy.