At 18, Cara Johnston believed car crashes were something that happened to other people.
She was right - but she never realized it would still hit so close to home.
Shortly after her 18th birthday she watch her twin sister die from a crash that was the result of excessive speed.
Five years later Johnston is telling her story to high school students across North America and the word. In conjunction with ICBC Road Sense, Johnston has spoken to 200 high schools in B.C. alone and her message is clear, "make a good choice and save your life."
Johnston spoke to students at Howe Sound Secondary Tuesday (May 23) and believes young people are faced with decisions that could ultimately mean life or death.
"Risk taking is apart of growing up but some risks will cost them their lives," she said. "I am educating youth to not put themselves at risk in the first place and to take themselves out of an unsafe car."
Johnston was with her sister Mairin at the mall prior to the accident when her twin was picked up by her new boyfriend. Johnston followed the pair in her parents' minivan; however, the car her sister was travelling in began speeding in excess of 160 km-h. Shortly after, Johnston turned a corner and found the vehicle her sister was in smashed into another car on Boundary Road in Vancouver.
"She never made it out of the car," said Johnston. "But I am grateful for every day of my life for the 18 years I had with her."
Johnston believes Mairin's crash was not an "accident."
"An accident is stubbing your toe on the coffee table; 90 per cent of car crashes are preventable," she said.
Tom Webster, ICBC Loss Prevention Coordinator, was a part of Johnston's presentation and said her message was important for students because it was real.
"Kids are media savvy and we need something to burn through all of the messages they are getting. Cara's message is important for reaching people with a personal approach," said Webster. "The next few months are critical for getting this message across. We have grad season and then the summer and it is the last hooray with many for their social circles. We are stressing being safe is all about making choices. Making the choice to adjust your behaviour when you get behind the wheel."
Webster said the Howe Sound Secondary Counter Attack Club, headed by Pat Heide, is exceptional.
"I can't say enough about the excellent program they have going at Howe Sound Secondary. Pat Heide is an amazing sponsor teacher and year after year he engages and motivates Howe Sound students to take an active role in deterring dangerous driving behaviour," said Webster.
For more information about ICBC's campaign for youth safe driving visit www.nofunbeingdead.com.
