Pimpama Secondary School student Katherine Saunders’ fight to save lives: ‘It could happen to anyone’

Katherine Saunders remembers looking into her mother’s sunken eyes minutes after she had been told a friend had been killed in a horror two-car pileup on the Gold Coast. Now she is doing all she can to help.

KATHERINE Saunders remembers looking into her mother’s sunken eyes minutes after she had been told a family friend had been killed in a horror two-car pileup on the Gold Coast.

Young Katherine’s friend Marnie Zuk died on Rifle Range Rd, Pimpama in August. She was just 17.

Marine’s boyfriend Jamie Hunter and his cousin Bryton Thompson also lost their lives that day.

“Mum is a good friend of Marnie’s mother and I remember seeing mum when she heard the news,” Katherine said.

“She was looking at me with tears in her eyes, she was so upset and scared. I guess I realised it could happen to anyone really.”

THE GOLD COAST’S MOST DEADLY ROADS REVEALED

Gold Coast student Katherine Saunders has launched a petition for more road education following the death of a family friend. Photograph: Jason O’Brien.

From that day, Katherine has vowed to play her part in ending the tragedies on our roads and is fighting for road education in the classroom — well before students are old enough to get behind the wheel.

Twenty people have lost their lives already this year, almost double at the same time last year.

“When I started looking into it I couldn’t believe how many people under 20 were the ones to die on our roads.”

A month before Marnie Zuk's death, four people in their early twenties were killed in the Gold Coast hinterland.

Katherine, 13, started her project by looking at the road statistics for an English assessment, but decided to take matters further by speaking with Coomera MP Michael Crandon and launching a petition.

It has collected 320 signatures since it was put online a week ago.

“I just think if people can see what is happening around them the death could hopefully just stop,” the Pimpama Secondary School student said.

“I am nervous to go on the road and I think our parents are nervous because it could happen to anyone.

“We want the government to do everything in their power to reduce the yearly road toll by 2030, by implementing more driver awareness education so we know about what we are doing even before we get behind a wheel.”

Katherine is also advocating for government-funded defensive driver courses for learners.

Marnie Zuk’s mother Kylie Zuk, speaking publicly for the first time, said she fully supported Katherine’s efforts.

“Every day for me is a struggle since the loss of my daughter Marnie and her boyfriend Jamie,” Ms Zuk said.

“When I was told of what Katie had done I couldn’t be more thankful and proud and support her 100 per cent. It won’t bring Marnie and Jamie back, but I hope it can bring awareness to others so other families don’t go through this heartache.”

>>> Find the petition on the Queensland parliament website HERE