Craig Greaves was only 24-years-old when he was involved in a tragic car accident that claimed his life and severely injured another passenger in the car. 89196
By NATALIE GALLENTI
GEORGE Greaves can still remember the day his family’s life was turned upside down.
The Brookfield resident was working overseas when he received a phone call from his devastated parents saying their youngest son, Craig, had been killed in a car accident.
For George, life would never be the same.
“My parents don’t smile anymore, they don’t laugh anymore. I saw my mum smile for the first time in 17 years just the other day.” He said.
Craig was “well over” the alcohol limit on the evening of the accident and already had a long list of traffic infringements. His licence was going to be suspended that night.
“He went to the pub after work and had a couple of drinks…and he said to a couple of mates, what’s the worst thing that can happen to me, I’m going to lose my licence anyway.
“They think they’re invincible. What they don’t understand is it’s not about losing your licence, it’s about losing your life.”
It took George, now with two teenage sons of his own, 15 years to muster the courage to speak about the tragedy, but now he retells his story to parents and young drivers to warn them of the consequences of dangerous driving.
Last Wednesday night he was one of a list of speakers at Melton’s Community Road Safety Forum.
Other guest speakers included Regional Coordinating Magistrate Noreen Toohey, Christine Harrison from Road Trauma Support Services, as well as representatives from the Melton Highway Patrol Unit and victims of road trauma.
Melton City Council road safety officer Jan Webb said the forums are hosted in an attempt to get the message across to young drivers that reckless driving can cost them their life.
“People can’t relate to TAC ads, the people in them are just actors at the end of the day,” Ms Webb said.
“We’re not about shock tactics… but we’re just saying it can happen. These kids need to take it seriously and not just think it’s cool.”
Ms Webb said police are very proactive in this area and despite what people think their priority is not about issuing fines.
“They don’t want to be attending collisions and seeing dead bodies. Road trauma affects everyone.”
According to George the message is simple.
“We all have choices in life. You wouldn’t watch a mate jump off a cliff, so why would you let them drive like that. We have a responsibility as a community to change the mindset of people.
“Yes, he (Craig) was too young to die, but I was too young to lose a brother, my parents were too young to lose a son and my grandparents too young to lose a grandchild.”
