Questions over crashes linked to sat-nav issues

Highways teams will review whether a "sudden rise" in drivers turning the wrong way down a dual carriageway is linked to changes to satellite navigation instructions.

West Sussex County Council (WSCC) cabinet member Joy Dennis said the authority was exploring the "most appropriate actions" to improve the A24 near Copsale after reports of drivers turning the wrong way down the southbound carriageway.

It comes after one woman told the BBC of a "horrific" collision after a driver turned into the road and struck her father's van, where she was a passenger.

A council spokesperson said it was "looking at what changes we can implement".

A letter from Dennis, cabinet member for highways and transport, to Horsham MP John Milne said she was "very concerned" about the rise in incidents.

Officers said they had found that "some satellite navigation instructions for the junction are not clearly representing the layout of the road", Dennis added.

The BBC has contacted sat-nav providers for comment.

Esme King, who was involved in a the crash with her father in January, said both vehicles in the crash she was involved in were badly damaged, but no-one was injured.

She said the junction was "notoriously dangerous" and that similar incidents and near‑misses had happened "many" times before.

A spokesperson for WSCC said: "Our highways officers have inspected the junction and confirmed that all required signs and road markings are in place."

It added that, in reference to the issues with satellite navigation, it was "engaging with the relevant organisations to ensure this is addressed".

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