The alert is being sounded by West Sussex County Council highway chiefs who say that their investigations show that some satellite navigation systems are not displaying the junction layout correctly.
It follows a head-on crash last month at the Bar Lane junction of the A24 at Southwater – and reports of other accidents and near-misses at the spot after increasing numbers of drivers were seen turning the wrong way up the southbound carriageway of the road.
Horsham MP John Milne raised concerns with highway chiefs at West Sussex County Council amid demands for urgent action ‘before someone is killed there.’
The council has now placed ‘Ignore Sat Nav’ signs on both the north and southbound carriageways of the junction.
A spokesperson said: “We’re aware of recent incidents where drivers have unintentionally turned the wrong way onto the southbound A24 from Bar Lane.
"Our investigations show that some satellite navigation systems are not displaying the junction layout correctly and we’re working with the relevant organisations to ensure this is resolved.
“Although the existing signage is correct and complies with national standards for this type of junction, we have installed additional temporary signs as an immediate safety measure.
“These have been placed on both approaches to the junction and advise drivers to ignore any satellite navigation instructions that may incorrectly direct them to turn into the southbound carriageway in the wrong direction.
“We continue to work closely with Sussex Police and we encourage anyone who witnesses a road traffic incident to report it through Operation Crackdown or via the making a road traffic incident report service on the Sussex Police website.”
1. Warning sign
One of the sat nav warning signs erected by West Sussex County Council at the Bar Lane junction of the A24 near Southwater Photo: Contributed
2. Warning sign
Warning signs have been placed at both the north and south junctions of the A24 at Bar Lane near Southwater Photo: Contributed