Video: ‘Drive To Save Lives’ Has Powerful, Personal Message For Young People

MOOREVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – For Cara Filler, encouraging young people to be a safe passenger in a vehicle has become a top priority.

“How to speak up for ourselves and our friends, how to be the designated texter, how to, ask mom or dad to slow down, how to remind a friend to wear their seat belt,” Filler said.

She spoke to Mooreville High School students, as part of the “Drive to Save Lives Tour.” For Filler, the message is personal.

“As young people we always think bad things only happen to other people. I, of course, thought that growing up, unfortunately the year we graduated from high school, my twin sister and I were together, her boyfriend drove home, tripled the speed limit, before he lost control of a car, my identical twin, Marin was killed, and he walked away,” Filler said.

In the 23 years since her twin sister died, Cara Filler has taken her message to high school students around the world.

During her presentation, Cara encourages young people to take a stand for safe driving.

“We, even at 5, 6 or 7 years old, learn our driving by role modeling, parents, older siblings,” she said.

Cara Filler had hand outs that said, “I Spoke Up.” It is a simple but powerful message and students we talked with say after hearing her testimony, they will take action before getting in a car with a distracted driver.

“Everyone’s in situations where they don’t think it’s a good thing to speak up, but it’s always a good thing to speak up, say, hey, let me get that for you, take action, not put yourself in a dangerous situation,” said Aubrie Norman, a senior at MHS.

“It makes you think about all distractions while you are driving, you can think about radio, air conditioner, talking to passengers in back seat, anything that takes your eyes off the road, is a distraction to your driving, and you need to eliminate it,” said MHS Senior Tanner Hitt.

Cara Filler will speak at 16 schools throughout Mississippi during the Drive to Save Lives Tour.

That tour is sponsored by the Mississippi Office of Highway Safety and State Farm Insurance.

For more information visit: drivetosavelives.com