By ANEEKA SIMONIS
THE 30 JUNE tragic triple-fatality in Avonsleigh has blown out teen road death statistics across Cardinia Shire.
Cardinia recorded the highest number of road deaths of teens aged 16-17 in the past 12 months.
Emerald Secondary College students Jason Breakwell, Sharn Walker and Felisha Allen lost their lives when their car hit a tree on Phillip Road, Avonsleigh.
Cardinia’s three deaths topped a grim tally across the state.
Fifteen teens died on Victorian roads last financial year compared to two in the 2013-’14 financial year.
The horrific increase in the number of teenagers killed on Victorian roads has prompted calls for young people to look out for themselves and their mates when driving.
The majority of the 15 teens who died last financial year were passengers.
TAC chief executive officer Janet Dore said the figures highlighted the need for young people to develop ways to stay safe, whether they were a newly licenced driver or riding in the passenger seat.
“From the age of 16, young people are becoming more independent and often it’s the time in their lives when they start to find themselves riding as a passenger with a newly-licenced mate,” Ms Dore said.
“It’s crucial they develop strategies to keep safe, by speaking up or removing themselves from a situation when they see a driver taking risks, whether that is speeding, drink driving, driving tired or allowing themselves to be distracted by passengers or a mobile device.”
According to Victoria Police, drivers are nearly four times more likely to be involved in a serious or fatal crash in their first year of driving.
Jake Mitchell, the fourth person involved in the horror Avonsleigh crash, was the sole survivor.
