Crane crash probe to consider speed limits

A Queensland inquest into a crane and car crash which killed a mother and her six-year-old son is probing whether lower speed limits and improved training and licensing processes could prevent further fatal heavy vehicle incidents.

Christine Leonardi, 37, was driving her three children to school when a crane began to swerve across the downhill slope of the New England Highway on September 16, 2013 on the outskirts of Toowoomba.

It collided with her vehicle in a motion like a "potato peeler", a pre-inquest hearing in Brisbane was told in May.

The full inquest began on Tuesday and is set to continue on Wednesday.

Ms Leonardi died immediately and her young son Samuel died two days later in hospital.

The crane driver had tried to brake but when that didn't work he accelerated and "suddenly shot across the road" and into the path of oncoming traffic, counsel assisting Peter De Waard said.

The damage to Ms Leonardi's car was so severe the make and model was unrecognisable.

According to Mr De Waard, the inquest is expected to consider how improved training and licensing processes, as well as a possible speed limit reduction or manufacturing alteration, could prevent deaths.