New billboard campaign pushing for “Savannah’s Law” on city’s west side
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A new billboard campaign is pushing for a law that would require all cars to get emission testing.
The move comes after Ben Davis High School senior Savannah Bettis died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Her family launched a petition for “Savannah’s Law.” They said they are doing everything they can to make sure this law becomes a reality.
Her mother told 24-Hour News 8 she doesn’t want this tragedy to happen to anyone else.
“Every life matters and her life matters and we will try to do this to the best of our ability,” said Wendy Bettis, Savannah’s mother.
Wendy Bettis said she and her husband drove through 10th Street and Country Club Road on Monday and saw the billboard campaign for the first time.
“I started screaming and hollering, there’s my Savannah, there’s my Savannah,” she said. “It’s beautiful. It’s the start to many more great wonderful things to come.”
The billboard is part of a campaign for “Savannah’s Law.” Her family wants a law that would require all cars to get a proper emission test.
Police said Savannah was in the car with her boyfriend when he lost control and crashed. Police said both had high levels of carbon monoxide in their systems. They later learned Savannah’s car had a leak in the exhaust pipe.
“Me and her dad stand strong for “Savannah’s Law” because her life matters and so does everyone else’s,” Wendy Bettis said.
The “Savannah’s Law” petition received more than 64,000 signatures.
“It is the beginning of a very large campaign,” said Tracy Cornforth, who is the general manager of Westside Garden Plaza.
Cornforth works with Savannah’s grandmother at Westside Garden Plaza. She said they put up the billboard after hearing about Savannah’s story.
“We decided what a wonderful way to recognize an employee (and) to better yet help her and her family,” Conforth said.
Cornforth is a mother of five.
“All of our kids we buy cheaper vehicles for their first car and as a parent I never thought about doing emission testing on my kids car,” said Cornforth. “This has made me think twice about even allowing them to get into a car to ride with a friend to go someplace.”
The community is showing their support as well for “Savannah’s Law.” Cornforth said businesses are jumping on board with the cause.
“We also have about 50 local businesses that have the Savannah story and petition in their business to help support the law and to help us gain the 200,000 signatures,” Conforth said.
Westside Garden is still looking for volunteers to go door to door next month for signatures.
Click here if you would like to sign the petition.