The parents of a teenage boy who died and killed four other people after driving home drunk from a Christmas party have joined forces with police and emergency services to launch this year’s Christmas road safety campaign.
On the eighth anniversary of their son Jordan’s death, Melissa and Peter McGuinness have shared the heartbreaking story of how his decision to drive while affected by alcohol and drugs impacted their lives and the lives of others – a powerful road safety message ahead of the festive season.
As lives lost on Queensland roads reaches the highest number in six years, Assistant Commissioner Ben Marcus said the launch of the Queensland Police Service’s (QPS) Christmas operation, Operation Sierra Noella, would target road users with increased enforcement action over the Christmas and New Year period (December 9 to January 29).
“The objective of this operation has never been more important than this year when we have seen some of the highest numbers of road fatalities in six years – 256 lives lost is simply unfathomable,” Assistant Commissioner Marcus said.
“To have the McGuinness family join with us today to share their story, sends such an important message to Queenslanders of the real, human impacts of your decisions on the road.”
Melissa McGuinness said Jordan had been at his work Christmas party where he had consumed several drinks and also smoked cannabis.
“For reasons we still don’t know and will never know, he chose to drive home that night,” Mrs McGuinness said.
Peter McGuinness said the choices that his son made pre-Christmas in 2012 will affect his victim’s families for generations.
“It’s really important to put aside the idea that bad driving is bad luck. You are responsible and you are accountable for your own choices,” Mr McGuinness said.
Assistant Commissioner Marcus said police were expecting to see one of the biggest increases in vehicles on the road this year and motorists could expect to see a notable police presence across the state.
“The aim of Operation Sierra Noella is to reduce fatalities and injuries on our roads during a time when we know that Queenslanders will be out and about,” he said.
“If you are out there on the road doing the wrong thing, you can expect to see us.
“It has been a tough year for our state and now our job is to work with you to ensure that Queenslanders make it home safely at the end of their journey.”
