Drive To Save Lives

Today at school, a lady named Cara Filler came and spoke to us.

The day after she graduated high school, she and her identical twin sister were applying for a job. Her sister's boyfriend drove the twin home, and he was a really big speeder. Cara thought it was no big deal, because everyone speeds. Turns out though, he was going 110 in a 30mph zone, went into oncoming traffic, and the car went into a 90 degree angle right where the twin was sitting, she died instantly. Cara and her twin were the best of friends, they were always together. Cara was devastated. Now, she speaks to schools not to tell her story, but caution kids on what can happen. It won't always "happen to someone else." She tied the whole thing into choices--if her sister would have chosen not to get in with a speeder, or tell him to stop, she would have lived. She mentioned how if a plane crashes, it's called a "plane crash" not "plane accident." But when a car crashes it's a "car ACCIDENT" even if someone purposely speeds. We use the word "accident" to make ourselves feel better. Of all of us in the gym, she said 1 in 4 would be in a car accident in the next 2 years--that is scary. She taught us how we can be part of the solution.

1. Don't put yourself at risk in the first place, don't get in the car

2. Speak up, be heard, stick your neck out for your friends, hide their keys if they shouldn't be driving

3. Remember the 3 P's: Pee, Puke, Period (lie if you have to, to get the car to stop and let you out)

4. Call parents for a ride

5. Don't text/call while driving. The phone CAN wait!

I really hope something she said impacted someone. She did really good, and I hope she's making a difference in the world. We need to realize that sometimes it IS us, and we are affected. Everyone thinks they're invincible, but we're not. We need to take action, and stop the "accidents."

I think it would be really neat to be an inspirational speaker like her. One thing I've always wanted to do is help people--and this would be a great way how. Maybe that chance will come to me, maybe not. I still can set an example though, and be an inspiration to others without getting up and speaking in public. We all need to live in such a way that people can use our story to help themselves.