Own The Choice, Own The Outcome

In 2012, Peter and Melissa McGuiness’ son was driving above the speed limit, and under the influence of alcohol and marijuana when his vehicle ploughed into a broken-down car on the highway, which contained five other teenagers.

It killed four of them instantly as well as their son Jordan.

Determined to change their despair and grief into a journey of hope, the pair have spent the last ten years spreading a powerful message of road safety, by inspiring other teenagers to make the right choices before getting behind the wheel of a car.

Last week, they brought the You Choose Youth Road Safety Program to the Whitsundays, visiting three schools in the region.

Through highlighting their son’s choices and the tragic aftermath, the pair are dedicated to creating positive social change in how youth view driving and accountability.

Over the past decade, they have seen more than 100,000 young Australians at schools across the country in their nationally award-winning program.

When the McGuinness’ visited Bowen State High School, Whitsunday Christian College, and Proserpine State High School they received a great response.

The program is formatted in two parts: a 60-minute presentation, followed by 30 minutes of survey and engagement regarding leadership, student body traditions, and school community action plans.

Peter said the first portion of You Choose is road safety, accountability, and love viewed through the story of their sons’ actions.

“It’s a story that makes teenagers reflect on their choices and their own families,” Peter said.

“Jordan was coming home from his first ever work Christmas party and was over the blood alcohol level limit, driving 30 kilometres over the speed limit when he collided with a stationary vehicle.

“He wasn’t a hardened criminal by any stretch of the imagination, but he made some reprehensible decisions.”

The narrative of the McGuinness family tragedy has one goal: for students to reflect on their own family and friendship groups.

“The messages that are behind our mission are making connections between your intentions, your choices, and your loved ones, and how to act on those connections. Those messages always impact the students most at risk,” Peter said.

“They look at each other around those friendship groups and make connections with each other to make change.”

Peter said he and his wife were “uplifted and energised by young people around the region”.

“Their enthusiasm to change the world for the better is really impressive. It strikes you that one of the ways they can make those connections between choice and their loved ones is through being a passenger,” Peter said.

“Road safety provides an example for what good decision making looks like in life.”

With support of QPS, the program has been an enormous success. Peter and Melissa hope to continue to spread its message and make a difference. They also hope to return to the Whitsundays in the next 12 months to do so.

Melissa McGuiness and Sergeant Nigel Dalton introduce the You Choose Program to local schools

Jordan McGuiness who tragically died on the roads after making wrong choices

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