Fatal crash mum's plea: Teach them at school

Mum's fight for change after she lost her son in a horrific fatal car crash

FATAL CRASH: Maleny man Jake Dunn, 22, died from injuries sustained in a crash on Maleny Stanley River Rd at Booroobin. Picture: Photo Contributed

THE pain of losing a son is something that never fades, but Cindy Klienhans is determined to turn her loss into change.

Jake Dunn, her 22-year-old son, was killed in 2015 when his car spun out of control and wrapped around a tree on Maleny Stanley River Rd.

"He got his licence in April, car in June, three months later he was in an accident, and two weeks after that he was dead," Ms Klienhans said.

Ms Klienhans said her son lost control after he panicked and over-corrected while overtaking another motorist on Maleny Stanley River Rd.

The wreck of Jake Dunn's car. Picture: Contributed

"That's why I want driver education in schools, I want advanced driving skills added to their Ls," she said.

"He did overtake when he shouldn't have.

"That wasn't the cause of the accident.

"The cause of the accident is that he lost control of his car."

Although advanced driving courses have a reputation for being expensive, Ms Klienhans said she wouldn't think twice about spending the money if her son was alive.

"It is expensive but what price can you put on your child's life?" she said.

"If I had a crystal ball and knew my son would have a car accident, I would have paid for the course."

Emergency services personnel try to rescue Jake Dunn from a crash on the Maleny Stanley River Rd that ultimately claimed his life. Picture: Contributed

The Hervey Bay mum is on a mission to have defensive driving taught in schools and added into the required practice hours for learner drivers.

She's launched a petition to rally the government for change, but she is 4000 signatures short of her current goal.

"I'm hoping to get at least 5000 signatures," she said.

"All up I'd have close to 1000 at the moment."

Once her petition has the magic number, Ms Klienhans will rally all levels of government to facilitate change in schools.

"They teach them religion (in school) ... but they need to know how to save themselves."

To sign the petition, visit http://tinyurl.com/znaz5n6.