Two killed in head-on-crash after sat-nav sent driver wrong way down slip road
TWO women were killed in a head-on crash after a sat-nav sent the driver the wrong way down a slip road.
A coroner has now called for clearer signs at a road junction after two women died in November.
The assistant coroner for Milton Keynes, Sean Cummings, has taken the unusual step of issuing a Prevention of Future Deaths (PFD) report ahead of the full inquest which has yet to be held into the tragedy.
Mr Cummings made the move after being handed reports of several other near misses at the same spot on the “off” slip road from the A5 at Little Brickhill in north Buckinghamshire.
Amal Mohamed Ahmed, 38, was killed on November 20 having driven her Peugeot 208 along the road, apparently having used her sat-nav to get her to Queensway, Bletchley.
She turned onto the slip road and drove in the wrong direction, colliding head-on with an oncoming Volkswagen Tiguan.
Ms Ahmed died at the scene and her passenger was critically injured.
The driver of the Volkswagen died later in the John Radcliffe Hospital.
The Chief Executive of Milton Keynes City Council and the Chief Executive of National Highways Dr Cummings said in his PFD report he had been told that although there were No Entry signs they were either badly positioned or did not seem to relate to the slip road.
It was also noted the area is unlit, the Bucks Free Press reports.
He said: “After the collision attending police officers saw three further vehicles perform exactly the same manoeuvre as Ms Ahmed and attempt to travel down the slip road in the wrong direction.
“Local residents have contacted police and complained that it is a very common occurrence for drivers to mistakenly travel down the slip road in the wrong direction.”
He added the slip road was long, allowing vehicles to build up some considerable speed.
Dr Cummings also noted that while large temporary No Entry signs had been placed at the top of the slip road after the tragedy, they were soon removed because the original signs were said to comply with regulations.
He said: “That seems wholly irrelevant to me because drivers are clearly not seeing the signs because of the large numbers who mistakenly drive the wrong way onto the slip road.
“In my opinion, consideration should be given to alternative arrangements to prevent vehicles entering and travelling along the slip road in the wrong direction.”
Milton Keynes Council told the BBC that National Highways “have responsibility for the roundabout” and the nearby signage and lighting.
A National Highways spokesperson said: “Our deepest sympathies remain with the family and friends of those involved in this tragic incident.”
“We have received the Coroners Regular 28 Report to Prevent Deaths and will prepare a response to meet the deadline,” they added.
The authorities have until February 14 to respond to the coroner’s concerns.