UPDATED: 16-year-old Ringwood girl dies in A31 accident

11:20am Monday 25th February 2013 in News By Steven Smith

The accident scene. Picture: Corin Messer The accident scene. Picture: Corin Messer

TRIBUTES have been paid to a 16-year-old girl who was killed in a crash on the A31 at Ringwood.

Jade Clark was riding a red scooter that was in collision with a car at around 8.20pm on Sunday night between the Verwood on-slip road and the A338 off-slip road.

She was pronounced dead at the scene and next of kin have been informed, police said.

Chris Edwards, headteacher at Ringwood School, said Jade left the school in July 2012 to follow her love of hairdressing by starting a college course.

“She had a lively, bubbly personality and was always full of life,” Miss Edwards said.

“She will be remembered as someone who had a ‘huge heart’, always willing to help others in difficulty – a really positive force for good.

“Jade was always grateful for everything life had to offer.

“She wanted to improve herself, and refused to let things hold her back.

“She dropped in to see us on a regular basis to let us know how she was getting on, and to thank people for their help and support.

“It was a real joy to see the progress she had made, an independent, confident young woman enjoying life to the full.

“Our thoughts and best wishes go to her family and friends at this difficult time.”

This morning commuters faced chaos as the A31 was closed westbound from Ashley Heath to junction two of the M27. A rolling road-block was taking traffic through the New Forest with reports of heavy congestion on diversion routes.

All lanes were reopened around 1.10pm.

The road was closed at around 8.20pm on Sunday after the collision.

 

It happened on the stretch between the northbound A338 Salisbury Road and Ashley Heath interchange.

A lane of the eastbound carriageway was closed to allow for investigation work but has now been reopened.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "Family liaison officers are currently working with the relatives of the deceased.

"We would like to apologise for any incovenience these road closures cause, but this is an extremely serious and complex road traffic collision.

"We would like to thank motorists for their patience."

We have re-opened comments to allow you to post tributes. Please be respectful of this otherwise comments will be switched off again. Thanks.

Comments(85)

Hammy1 says...
11:37am Mon 25 Feb 13

Condolences to the family our hearts go out to them losing their daughter such a young life to be taken away. R.I.P x

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vmc0402 says...
11:58am Mon 25 Feb 13

This is tragic, and I feel that people who were stuck in traffic (like myself) have to understand that sitting there for an hour and 45 minutes longer than normal is a small price to pay. This young girl had her whole life ahead of her and was probably excited to be enjoying her independence as we all were at that age. Obviously we do not know the full story, but as a resident of Verwood, I know that this junction is a very dangerous one, and at 16, she would not have much experience on these roads.
I hope that her family can get through this terrible time.

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Cherry19 says...
12:03pm Mon 25 Feb 13

So sorry to hear about this young girl losing her life ... such a lifetime in front of her, so my heart aches for her and for her family who have to deal with this terrible news ... RIP x

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tricky1007 says...
12:05pm Mon 25 Feb 13

Thoughts with the family, and to everyone moaning about it taking so long to get to work. When you read this story and know the reason, give your loved ones a big hug when you get home and appreciate what you have

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melaniecobbs says...
12:07pm Mon 25 Feb 13

Such very sad news...made me cry as a mother of a young girl

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Cerdicjute says...
12:11pm Mon 25 Feb 13

I travelled with my family on this stretch of the A31 and the A350 where another biking fatality occured on Friday. Brings home how vulnerable we all are.

My sincerest thoughts for this poor girl's family.

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yet_another_one says...
12:14pm Mon 25 Feb 13

This is tragic - the senseless loss of life of a young girl.
Condolences to her family who must be absolutely devastated - R.I.P.
I use this stretch of road alot and have often witnessed idiots undertaking at speed - lane discipline is appalling as many drivers just do not have a clue where they are going or what lane they should be in.
Improvements, not speed limits, to the A31 at Ringwood must include the closure of some slip roads and the petrol station. They must be carried out with a higher priority and in both directions - how many more deaths does it take to urge those responsible to move with alot more urgency, otherwise they will have even more blood on their hands.

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The Renegade Master says...
12:23pm Mon 25 Feb 13

Very very sad and absolutely heartbreaking for this unfortunate girl's family and friends.
This stretch of road is very poorly designed and the speed limit needs to be reduced to no more than 40mph on both carriageways between Poulner Hill and Ashley Heath with average speed cameras enforcing it.
Perhaps in the light of this latest tragedy the authorities will now see fit to spend some money and carry out these improvements urgently before there are any more unnecessary fatalities.

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djd says...
12:27pm Mon 25 Feb 13

Thought and prayers are with all those involved.

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Letcommonsenseprevail says...
12:27pm Mon 25 Feb 13

Very sad news indeed. My thoughts and prayers go to those affected and their families.

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Hessenford says...
12:31pm Mon 25 Feb 13

How sad at such a young age, I cant imagine what her family is going through but all my thoughts and prayers are with them at this time.

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skydriver says...
12:40pm Mon 25 Feb 13

So very sad, and so young, RIP young lady, god bless.

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jtnr says...
12:42pm Mon 25 Feb 13

such sad news, my heart goes out to this girls family. something really needs to be done with that road i dread it everytime i have to use it.

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suzigirl says...
12:43pm Mon 25 Feb 13

I lost my son in a RTC nearly five years ago and my heart goes out to her family for their tragic loss........

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MyFairLady says...
12:46pm Mon 25 Feb 13

Yet again another fatality on our roads. I too have a 16 year old daughter so can only imagine the heartache this family are feeling. I read somewhere that no plans are in place to alter the speed limit for this stretch of road because not enough injuries/fatalities have taken place - I hope the powers that be take this latest accident on board and reconsider their decision. Pulling out from either the Fish Inn or the petrol station in that area is hard enough for an experienced driver, let alone someone of 16. Rest in Peace and thoughts go to the local family.

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carol_uk says...
12:59pm Mon 25 Feb 13

so sad thoughts are with the family but why do they always blame it on speed, its serious improvements on the road that need sorting,thats the prob, no one nos what lane to get in there,signs wont help no one reads the ones they got there now,such a young age to go

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jill M says...
1:25pm Mon 25 Feb 13

Hope the original first poster on this article now feels thoroughly ashamed of him or herself. A sixteen year old has lost her life, but all he or she could do was swear about the road being closed for eight hours. Before people post on here they should think about what they re going to put.my deepest sympathy to the family of this young lady.

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carol_uk says...
1:41pm Mon 25 Feb 13

jill M wrote:
Hope the original first poster on this article now feels thoroughly ashamed of him or herself. A sixteen year old has lost her life, but all he or she could do was swear about the road being closed for eight hours. Before people post on here they should think about what they re going to put.my deepest sympathy to the family of this young lady.
really ,thats disgusting, i agree

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Tilly14 says...
1:42pm Mon 25 Feb 13

My thoughts are with the girls family and friends. She will will be missed by many people.

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woby_tide says...
1:43pm Mon 25 Feb 13

How many more accidents does it take before they realise just how many dangerous junctions there are in the area, both the Ringwood and Verwood junctions and Blackwater are all a shambles. Unbeliveable that they still don't look at improving them

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Bournemouth2014 says...
1:46pm Mon 25 Feb 13

carol_uk wrote:
jill M wrote:
Hope the original first poster on this article now feels thoroughly ashamed of him or herself. A sixteen year old has lost her life, but all he or she could do was swear about the road being closed for eight hours. Before people post on here they should think about what they re going to put.my deepest sympathy to the family of this young lady.
really ,thats disgusting, i agree
I saw that too and was also disgusted by them.

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jquain says...
2:00pm Mon 25 Feb 13

My thoughts are with the girls friends and family.
Time for the council/highways agency to finally sort that stretch of road out. I posted on here a couple of weeks ago that there needs to be extra lanes added, slip road improvements and moving/removing the Texaco petrol station by the church.
I don't think a reduction in the speed limit is the answer though.

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photographynewforest says...
2:17pm Mon 25 Feb 13

Just awful, not again, always young and from the ringwood area, another young life gone needlessly, I can't imagine the void that must be left behind to her poor parents and family I truly send my heart out to you, I grew up in Avon castle and always rode my bike there at her age and I remember mulitiple lives being lost over the years. Please please slow down, take time look for bikes and remember the terrible consequences when you don't because that's what matters. :'-(
god bless.......

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kazzy70 says...
2:19pm Mon 25 Feb 13

So so sad that a young girl that hasnt even started her life is taken in such a horrable way, R.I.P Sweetheart x

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jennieka says...
2:59pm Mon 25 Feb 13

Poor love,Tragic and heartwrenching, rest in peace sweetheart.

In her memory lets all PLEASE drive carefully. I'm used to driving in busy cities but the amount of accident in this area shocks me. Be calm in a car and don't drive like everyone else is an inconvenience to you. You are not the centre of the world but we are all capable when in a car of taking out somebody elses world.

Our hearts go out to her family and friends - really really sad day.

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bourne free says...
3:15pm Mon 25 Feb 13

So so sad .such a loss .
Please do something about that stretch of road from the petrol station to the spur road turning .

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seuthsayer says...
3:35pm Mon 25 Feb 13

...Such sad news...deepest sympathies to all her family and friends.RIP

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ledge374 says...
4:00pm Mon 25 Feb 13

Very sad news, no one should be taken so young. I drive this road everyday and often see dangerous driving from people being in too much of a rush and not thinking of their actions. Dont know who was to blame but at the end of the day a young lady has had her life cut short. Lets hope people see this and rethink their driving, maybe get up a little earlier so they dont need to rush. Truly sad news and thoughts with the family.

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bobthedestroyer says...
4:05pm Mon 25 Feb 13

Such a sad loss, thoughts with family and friends.

That whole section of road needs to be redesigned on both sides. Sadly though people dying is a cheaper option than paying for a major redesign. Reducing the speed limit isn't the answer. SOmetimes I think road planners don't actually use the roads, they give too many optins to road users when it should be a lot more defined. Left lane to go left, middle lane to go straight on, right lane to turn right, none of this merging malarky that seems to be the fave thing to do at the moment (Castle Lane outside hospital), merge in less than a car length (exaggerating there).

Either way nothing will bring back this girls life.

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clamfather says...
4:30pm Mon 25 Feb 13

The road at this particular point should have been redesigned when the eastbound section was widened. It was foolish and shortsighted to remove all the necessary equipment with the job only half done. Now a young person has paid the price for a poor decision. Maybe cameras to curb the maniacs who emerge at speed from the Verwood on-slip and insist on crossing three lanes of traffic to travel beyond Ashley Heath, or close it and force them under the A31 and back to Ringwood. The petrol station and the exit from the Fish should both be shut immediately. Perhaps we should impose salary reductions on Highway designers and planners for every fatality as punishment for foolish decisions and designs.

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jadelou says...
4:30pm Mon 25 Feb 13

Very sad. Thoughts are with the young girls family and friends. x

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lionheart says...
4:33pm Mon 25 Feb 13

What a sad waste of a young life. My condolences to the young girl's family.

Both sides of the A31 from Poulner down to Ashley Heath are fraught with potential life threatening situations.

Coming out from the Verwood slip to reach the two lanes for the A31, The slip from Poulner west bound where cars joining don't give a jot about slowing down, the main slip from Ringwood and the nightmare slip from the town centre at the Fish Inn/ Texaco garage and from the Verwood slip where the accident happened.

Most of these potential black spots are made worse by the speed of the main flow of traffic. I would advocate overhead speed restriction signs incorporating cameras similar to those on the M42 and M25.

There isn't the space to redesign the route short of blocking off the slip by the Fish In or closing down the garage.

Incidentally I travelled up to Southampton today on the A35. On the stretch past the Meyrick estate at Hinton I was amazed to see a large juggernaut had stopped on the main carriageway and the driver appeared to be asleep in his cab. Presumably a tachograph issue.

There was about a 3 mile queue of traffic backing up to behind this vehicle all the way to Holmesley. Unbelievable.

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suntan says...
4:40pm Mon 25 Feb 13

Our heart goes out to all the family So Sad RIP X

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nermal says...
4:54pm Mon 25 Feb 13

I don't like pulling out of any of those junctions along there in a powerful car, let alone a small scooter, which probably couldn't go much over 30mph. As well as sympathy for the girl's family, and without knowing any details about how the accident happened, I feel for the car driver too, he/she will have to live with this too for the rest of their life. That will probably get replies of 'taking the motorist's side', but no motorist intentionally causes the death of a youngster like that. Sympathy all round.

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EGHH says...
4:58pm Mon 25 Feb 13

Condolences to the girls family. Such a waste of life. I pray her death will not be in vain and councils and highway agency does something about the slip roads along this part of A31.

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armymum67 says...
4:58pm Mon 25 Feb 13

Such sad news and my sincere condolences to the girls family RIP

I have used this road many times and yes it scares me to be honest as it never fails to amaze me the amount of cutting up, pulling out of the verwood sliproad at high speed to get to the off side lane and last minute lane hopping because people cant or choose not to read the signs or the road layout. I dont pertain to be the worlds best driver but I do know the road and make sure Im in the right lane way back and have witnessed drivers being "bullied" by other drivers driving way to fast to change lanes then the slower car having to try and cut back in when the faster car has shot on by, exceeding the speed limit. Im not sure what the answer is here other than to drive with due care and attention

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bmthcabbie says...
5:03pm Mon 25 Feb 13

I don't normally post on these sites but this is so tragic I felt I had to pass on my sincere condolences to the young girl's family. Such a waste of a young life - God Bless.

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eaststandman says...
5:23pm Mon 25 Feb 13

jquain wrote:
My thoughts are with the girls friends and family.
Time for the council/highways agency to finally sort that stretch of road out. I posted on here a couple of weeks ago that there needs to be extra lanes added, slip road improvements and moving/removing the Texaco petrol station by the church.
I don't think a reduction in the speed limit is the answer though.
This is so sad. I use those junctions everyday.

I was undertaken at approx 90mph+ this morning going northbound.

The junctions are not the problem. Its the speed of the vehicles that cause these problems.

The cries to close the junctions obviously come from the drivers who don't need to use them.

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large_cheese says...
5:42pm Mon 25 Feb 13

TBH I commute every week East Bound along that stretch and home West bound and to enforce a 50 from the Shell services at Burley to the 50 that is in place west of Ashley Heath would add nothing to the majority of journeys. 50 would be a luxury during busy periods.

The slip roads are very short along there, and the "ON" by the Texaco \ Fish Inn is dreadful. Even East bound, joining from Verwood is poor.

It doesn't help with all these new super fuel efficient cars that have no go what so ever, put your foot down and nothing happens, I think I will be paying my share of Road Tax going forward!

Condolences to the family and friends.

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username is already in use says...
5:58pm Mon 25 Feb 13

These Scooters are dangerous, I had one but certainly wouldn't let my child have one. RIP.

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pehf1rules says...
6:04pm Mon 25 Feb 13

Very sad news that i hear today of this young lady that has lost her life as my daughter celebrates her 17th birthday. It sure has put today into perspective for me and my family.

My heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of this young lady at this very tragic time.

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Jim_Springbourne says...
6:04pm Mon 25 Feb 13

Horrid news - my condolences to her family and friends. taken too soon.

Given that the section of road is unlit, I assume that they needed to work in daylight to investigate this properly. If someone has lost their life, the the least that the deceased's family deserve is to know what happened.

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The Gurru says...
6:06pm Mon 25 Feb 13

The Renegade Master wrote:
Very very sad and absolutely heartbreaking for this unfortunate girl's family and friends.
This stretch of road is very poorly designed and the speed limit needs to be reduced to no more than 40mph on both carriageways between Poulner Hill and Ashley Heath with average speed cameras enforcing it.
Perhaps in the light of this latest tragedy the authorities will now see fit to spend some money and carry out these improvements urgently before there are any more unnecessary fatalities.
Totally agree drop the speed limit on this stretch of road. And close the fish in exit onto the A31

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b26b says...
6:10pm Mon 25 Feb 13

I echo the condolences, what a dreadful thing to happen and to some one so young is a travesty. Also you have to feel for the car driver, what an awful thing to have on the conscience. We are all aware of the poor design of this stretch of road. It would be ghastly to put a price on improvements but unfortunately the reality is i doubt funding would be made available for a major re-design. On a side note, we need a major rethink of how we fund our roads as it seems to me we are all being short changed. I think the clear thing to do here is to enforce a 50 limit possibly 40 for sections of the road. I hope to see some joint thinking between NFDC and DCC on this. Incidentally could the Highways Agency take soul responsibility for this junction? We have had numerous problems down the years and the inertia of our respective councils cant continue.

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Bournemouthfan2 says...
6:10pm Mon 25 Feb 13

Unfortunately mopeds restricted to 30mph on a multi lane 70mph road is a difficult mix no matter what the road design. Perhaps restricted mopeds should not be allowed on 70mph dual carriageways, which after all have more challenges and dangers than motorways which they are already banned from. Alternatively perhaps the restriction should be raised to a safer 40mph if they are to be allowed to use 70mph dual carriageways.

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martin225 says...
6:30pm Mon 25 Feb 13

Horrible news puts questions what matters in life.

This road is a disgrace, in britain we pay a lot towards our roads, this is a disgrace we need a road which serves the borough of Poole and Bournemouth not this poorly designed mess. This road needs to be widened and junctions redesigned, I suggest a widening of a extra lane (Hard shoulder running with a reduced speed limit of 50-60mph) with message signs and variable speed limit. I'm sick and tired of Highways agency/councils not doing anything everything in this country to improve safety. We need to pay more attention in this country to transport, I go to other countries and its just embarrassing the mess which our infrastructure is in.

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ShuttleX says...
6:31pm Mon 25 Feb 13

My thoughts are with Jades family and friends. I feel a debate regarding the road layout should be for another place and time.

Rest In Peace Jade

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Couchy125 says...
6:34pm Mon 25 Feb 13

RIP to the young girl. Condolences to the family. Terrible news.

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jmh says...
6:41pm Mon 25 Feb 13

Very sad news,Thinking of her family and friends at this sad time.... Sweetdreams RIP x

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wilkiemini says...
6:53pm Mon 25 Feb 13

My oh sent a Message home very early this morning (when he stopped for breakfast) saying that something awful had happened on that road....
Obviously this is what he was talking about
He was stuck in traffic but he wasn't concerned about that he was more worried about the people involved in the accident

We have a 16 year old and I cannot imagine how the family must be feeling today.....So so sad :( RIP

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Turtlebay says...
7:46pm Mon 25 Feb 13

lionheart wrote:
What a sad waste of a young life. My condolences to the young girl's family.

Both sides of the A31 from Poulner down to Ashley Heath are fraught with potential life threatening situations.

Coming out from the Verwood slip to reach the two lanes for the A31, The slip from Poulner west bound where cars joining don't give a jot about slowing down, the main slip from Ringwood and the nightmare slip from the town centre at the Fish Inn/ Texaco garage and from the Verwood slip where the accident happened.

Most of these potential black spots are made worse by the speed of the main flow of traffic. I would advocate overhead speed restriction signs incorporating cameras similar to those on the M42 and M25.

There isn't the space to redesign the route short of blocking off the slip by the Fish In or closing down the garage.

Incidentally I travelled up to Southampton today on the A35. On the stretch past the Meyrick estate at Hinton I was amazed to see a large juggernaut had stopped on the main carriageway and the driver appeared to be asleep in his cab. Presumably a tachograph issue.

There was about a 3 mile queue of traffic backing up to behind this vehicle all the way to Holmesley. Unbelievable.
It was reported on Radio Solent late this morning that he had broken down and was awaiting recovery. Perhaps you could have offered to push his lorry out of the way?

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Hairyjon60 says...
7:52pm Mon 25 Feb 13

I was in the traffic jam last night on the way back from Huntingdon to Dorchester.
I am not implying that any of my comments below are the cause of the accident.

It was so obvious that something serious had happened that I cannot believe anyone would post comments such as the first one that many of you have referred to regarding being delayed.
Unfortunately, I did not see comment.
Perhaps this person would like me to send them an email that describes what a family goes through as I and my family have been since October 1999. My Daughter was only 16.

This comment must have been made by someone with the attitude that comes from an impatient driver and the sort that is likely to cause this kind of 'accident' and get away with it, without injury or prosecution.

One has to ask why the UK is one of the only countries that does not include motorway or dual carriageway driving as part of the driving test?

My thoughts are with Jade's family and friends.
Jon.

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Hairyjon60 says...
8:06pm Mon 25 Feb 13

lionheart wrote:
What a sad waste of a young life. My condolences to the young girl's family.

Both sides of the A31 from Poulner down to Ashley Heath are fraught with potential life threatening situations.

Coming out from the Verwood slip to reach the two lanes for the A31, The slip from Poulner west bound where cars joining don't give a jot about slowing down, the main slip from Ringwood and the nightmare slip from the town centre at the Fish Inn/ Texaco garage and from the Verwood slip where the accident happened.

Most of these potential black spots are made worse by the speed of the main flow of traffic. I would advocate overhead speed restriction signs incorporating cameras similar to those on the M42 and M25.

There isn't the space to redesign the route short of blocking off the slip by the Fish In or closing down the garage.

Incidentally I travelled up to Southampton today on the A35. On the stretch past the Meyrick estate at Hinton I was amazed to see a large juggernaut had stopped on the main carriageway and the driver appeared to be asleep in his cab. Presumably a tachograph issue.

There was about a 3 mile queue of traffic backing up to behind this vehicle all the way to Holmesley. Unbelievable.
Lionheart.
All roads a fraught with potential life threatening situations.
Trucks break down occasionally.
This has nothing to do with the topic.
Jon.

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boomtriker says...
8:23pm Mon 25 Feb 13

Its such a shame that this road has claimed another young life, my condolences to her family. Maybe the council will now do something about this accident black spot and do what all the previous people have commented on here about the road improvements that are needed here.

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Mocov1 says...
8:25pm Mon 25 Feb 13

I totally endorse previous postings and can do nothing but send my condolences to the family.
Whilst somewhat irrelevant at such a time, if the road layout contributed to this terrible incident, I would hope that finance is not raised as an obstacle based on the previous expense in preserving the lives of sand lizards adjacent to the spur road. RIP

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manana says...
8:42pm Mon 25 Feb 13

RIP Young lady...my daughter is coming up 16 and I am so sorry....I cant imagine the pain the family are going through..xx

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PeeGee says...
8:49pm Mon 25 Feb 13

May I express my sympathy for the family of the victim. Also, my thanks to BBC Radios Wiltshire and Solent for their reporting of the incident. I was travelling from Swindon to Poole and altered my route to a cross country one. Radio Solent reported very sympathetically with as much detail as was appropriate. As a result I hope, like me, that drivers' thoughts were with the victim rather than any "inconvenience".

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A31 user says...
8:58pm Mon 25 Feb 13

I drove through this spot on Sunday morning, thinking that there needs to be a speed restriction here, along with a new road layout/signs saying, ''Slow down, traffic joining from the left''...etc I told my 21 year old daughter who was in the car that this was necessary and she agreed...

Sadly, on our way back, this need was confirmed, as we came across the familiar road closures and rows of blue flashing lights! This scene was very distressing and therefore let us all be more courteous road users and remind everyone we can that we must keep our distance and lower our speed.. We must all act to make this road safer!! For the sake of Jade and others like her...This must never be allowed to happen again....Slower moving traffic has more time to react, is less likely to collide and if there is a collision it is only minor, with little or no damage...Thinking of you Jade...Rest in peace...x..

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GodOfNout says...
9:55pm Mon 25 Feb 13

The turn off onto the A31 coming from Verwood, is absolutely horrendous. Drivers come hurtling down from under the Ashley Heath flyover as such speeds that getting swiped coming onto the road is always a close call. What makes things worse is half the drivers are in the wrong lanes and never indicate! The fact 'Highway Chefs' want a certain amount of injuries (including deaths) to have taken place in order to justify a reduction of the speed limit is farcical! Whoever the hell these 'Highway Chefs' are should be ashamed of themselves (not that they will). Their jobs should be to access potential risks and eliminate them from ever potentially occurring! Instead they wait for the tragedies to happen, and then still they'll sit on their backsides and let the numbers stack up. FU!

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Wessex121 says...
10:02pm Mon 25 Feb 13

I remember commenting on the Fish Inn slip road 10 years ago. As you emerge onto the slip road the first hazard are cars trying to cross your path to enter the petrol station. Then the next hazard is when the slip road is used by articulated lorries to park and by coffee etc. from the petrol station.

Trying to merge with traffic already doing anything up to 70 MPH is a recipe for disaster. Thank God there haven't been more deaths although there have been plenty of nasty incidents.

Jade's death has highlighted a problem in the stretch leading down from Poulner to the Ashley Heath roundabout. Experienced drivers like myself can cope but I'm always glad to get onto the B3081 from Ringwood.

There needs to be a concerted effort by all motorists affected by the tragic death of Jade to bring pressure to bear on Hampshire & Dorset CCs. A pressure Group should be formed and hopefully another tragedy may be avoided.

From bitter experience, it takes a death or deaths to trigger action from the Highways Dept.

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soulquest says...
10:44pm Mon 25 Feb 13

I sadly saw the seen of this accident not long after it happened on sunday and my thoughts and prayers are with Jades family and friends ...no parent should have to deal with such a sad loss......enough is enough...make this road safer....rest peacefully in heaven Jade.

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Chris the plumber says...
11:08pm Mon 25 Feb 13

Its not the roads that kill or even cars or bikes its drivers and riders.. the only reason any money is going to be spent on these junctions it to allow vehicles to travel faster, if the was a rigid speed restriction of 30 mph every one would get out of the juctions safely at the expense of about one minute of their time, no road works just the cost of a few 30MPH signes, but of course we know the powers that be and the `speed dos`nt kill campaigners` will not let this happen . i take the Fish junction daily and i have to use max power on that slip road to reach the speed of traffic to get on the the 2nd lane for three legged cross..a speed limit would make such sense..

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jquain says...
5:25am Tue 26 Feb 13

eaststandman wrote:
jquain wrote:
My thoughts are with the girls friends and family.
Time for the council/highways agency to finally sort that stretch of road out. I posted on here a couple of weeks ago that there needs to be extra lanes added, slip road improvements and moving/removing the Texaco petrol station by the church.
I don't think a reduction in the speed limit is the answer though.
This is so sad. I use those junctions everyday.

I was undertaken at approx 90mph+ this morning going northbound.

The junctions are not the problem. Its the speed of the vehicles that cause these problems.

The cries to close the junctions obviously come from the drivers who don't need to use them.
I use the road regularly as I have lived in Ringwood for 27 years.
I would agree that travelling 90mph on that stretch of road is ridiculous for large parts of the day. At the same time I would say a reduction of the speed limit to 50mph would be unnecessary.
Like many posters have said, there needs to be extra lanes added all the way up to the Cadnam junction with the M27.
Also in my opinion the Texaco petrol station is in an inappropriate position. It's not safe having people pulling out of the slip road mixed with people turning in to it. I have no idea how it originally got planning permission.

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Old Boscombe Lad says...
5:44am Tue 26 Feb 13

So very sad. RIP young lady.

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TedMacsCherryPants says...
6:15am Tue 26 Feb 13

A sad, sad story, I have a 16-year old at home who I often think is a pain, this really makes you realise what you've got.
RIP Jade and my sincerest condolences to Jade's family.

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Lord Spring says...
7:39am Tue 26 Feb 13

jquain says...
I use the road regularly as I have lived in Ringwood for 27 years.
I would agree that travelling 90mph on that stretch of road is ridiculous for large parts of the day. At the same time I would say a reduction of the speed limit to 50mph would be unnecessary.
Like many posters have said, there needs to be extra lanes added all the way up to the Cadnam junction with the M27.
Also in my opinion the Texaco petrol station is in an inappropriate position. It's not safe having people pulling out of the slip road mixed with people turning in to it. I have no idea how it originally got planning permission.”

As it was there before the present road layout was constructed.

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kangman2012 says...
7:51am Tue 26 Feb 13

eaststandman wrote:
jquain wrote:
My thoughts are with the girls friends and family.
Time for the council/highways agency to finally sort that stretch of road out. I posted on here a couple of weeks ago that there needs to be extra lanes added, slip road improvements and moving/removing the Texaco petrol station by the church.
I don't think a reduction in the speed limit is the answer though.
This is so sad. I use those junctions everyday.

I was undertaken at approx 90mph+ this morning going northbound.

The junctions are not the problem. Its the speed of the vehicles that cause these problems.

The cries to close the junctions obviously come from the drivers who don't need to use them.
What the hell are you doing 90 mph for through that part of a notoriously dangerous road. It's irresponsible drivers like you who cause these "speeding" situations. At the age of 16 the poor girl would no doubt have been riding a 30 mph "limited" moped. It's no wonder she had no chance. God bless her and RIP.

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l'anglais says...
8:19am Tue 26 Feb 13

jquain wrote:
eaststandman wrote:
jquain wrote:
My thoughts are with the girls friends and family.
Time for the council/highways agency to finally sort that stretch of road out. I posted on here a couple of weeks ago that there needs to be extra lanes added, slip road improvements and moving/removing the Texaco petrol station by the church.
I don't think a reduction in the speed limit is the answer though.
This is so sad. I use those junctions everyday.

I was undertaken at approx 90mph+ this morning going northbound.

The junctions are not the problem. Its the speed of the vehicles that cause these problems.

The cries to close the junctions obviously come from the drivers who don't need to use them.
I use the road regularly as I have lived in Ringwood for 27 years.
I would agree that travelling 90mph on that stretch of road is ridiculous for large parts of the day. At the same time I would say a reduction of the speed limit to 50mph would be unnecessary.
Like many posters have said, there needs to be extra lanes added all the way up to the Cadnam junction with the M27.
Also in my opinion the Texaco petrol station is in an inappropriate position. It's not safe having people pulling out of the slip road mixed with people turning in to it. I have no idea how it originally got planning permission.
I agree that Garage is as much of an issue as the junction.
I think if you had a 50 MPH restriction just from the start of the flyover to 200 yards past the garage, this could be a compromise.

I think you'll find that the garage was there years before the dual carriageway was built in the 70's.

The whole issue about road safety however lays at the hands of town planners.

Their is a huge volume of traffic using this road and it is a national disgrace that there is not a Motorway from Cadnam to Honiton.

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lionheart says...
10:11am Tue 26 Feb 13

Hairyjon60 wrote:
lionheart wrote:
What a sad waste of a young life. My condolences to the young girl's family.

Both sides of the A31 from Poulner down to Ashley Heath are fraught with potential life threatening situations.

Coming out from the Verwood slip to reach the two lanes for the A31, The slip from Poulner west bound where cars joining don't give a jot about slowing down, the main slip from Ringwood and the nightmare slip from the town centre at the Fish Inn/ Texaco garage and from the Verwood slip where the accident happened.

Most of these potential black spots are made worse by the speed of the main flow of traffic. I would advocate overhead speed restriction signs incorporating cameras similar to those on the M42 and M25.

There isn't the space to redesign the route short of blocking off the slip by the Fish In or closing down the garage.

Incidentally I travelled up to Southampton today on the A35. On the stretch past the Meyrick estate at Hinton I was amazed to see a large juggernaut had stopped on the main carriageway and the driver appeared to be asleep in his cab. Presumably a tachograph issue.

There was about a 3 mile queue of traffic backing up to behind this vehicle all the way to Holmesley. Unbelievable.
Lionheart.
All roads a fraught with potential life threatening situations.
Trucks break down occasionally.
This has nothing to do with the topic.
Jon.
Read the story Jon. 'Heavy congestion on diversion routes' Just giving an observation as to why that was..

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ragj195 says...
11:54am Tue 26 Feb 13

kangman2012 wrote:
eaststandman wrote:
jquain wrote:
My thoughts are with the girls friends and family.
Time for the council/highways agency to finally sort that stretch of road out. I posted on here a couple of weeks ago that there needs to be extra lanes added, slip road improvements and moving/removing the Texaco petrol station by the church.
I don't think a reduction in the speed limit is the answer though.
This is so sad. I use those junctions everyday.

I was undertaken at approx 90mph+ this morning going northbound.

The junctions are not the problem. Its the speed of the vehicles that cause these problems.

The cries to close the junctions obviously come from the drivers who don't need to use them.
What the hell are you doing 90 mph for through that part of a notoriously dangerous road. It's irresponsible drivers like you who cause these "speeding" situations. At the age of 16 the poor girl would no doubt have been riding a 30 mph "limited" moped. It's no wonder she had no chance. God bless her and RIP.
I think they were stating that it was the car doing the undertaking that was going 90mph not themselves.

RIP young lady xx

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BarrHumbug says...
2:46pm Tue 26 Feb 13

Such a sad news article, condolences to the family for their loss.
It really does beggar belief why this stretch of road isn't 50mph what with all the slip roads and lane changes, after all only half a mile up the road it is 50mph, it wouldn't be a great task to extend that to the other side of Ringwood.

It also brings into question the law on 50cc mopeds being allowed on 70mph dual carriageways, they can only reach 30mph, without being able to keep up with the flow of traffic it puts them into danger in the same way as cyclists, especially at a multiple on/off slipway junction like this!

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Old Phart says...
2:51pm Tue 26 Feb 13

Absolutely tragic heartbreaking news. It could so easily have been one of my kids. No parent should have to receive a knock on the door like this.

Someone must know who the hit and run 4x4 driver is who caused this tragedy.

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Hairyjon60 says...
3:08pm Tue 26 Feb 13

Old Phart wrote:
Absolutely tragic heartbreaking news. It could so easily have been one of my kids. No parent should have to receive a knock on the door like this.

Someone must know who the hit and run 4x4 driver is who caused this tragedy.
Hi Oldphart. Where did the info regarding 4x4 come from? Jon.

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shazza123 says...
4:57pm Tue 26 Feb 13

That junction coming from Ringwood town onto bypass needs to be closed off as many have already said, it is a death trap waiting for its next victim & that extra access onto bypass is just NOT needed, I also see many cyclist & mopeds on these roads & can not understand why it is allowed, the stretch of rd from Ashley heath to Bournemouth is a 70mph stretch a cyclist etc would not stand a chance, it astounds me. I went out approx 7pm sat night & as i approach Texaco junction i pulled over in readiness for cars pulling onto road, but guy behind me then just undertook forcing those 3 or 4 cars to brake suddenly & then barely missing a car coming out from town. Speed reductions will not help as most of the time its not moving anyway there is simply to many access points onto ! rd & we need to fight this before another young life is taken from us. Jade had a wonderful future ahead of her a lovely yung lady & my tthoughts & prayers are with them at this time BUT plz plz lets not all forget about this we need to fight for these dangerous junctions to be dealt with. There is a website called writetothem you can simply google this & write to your MP demanding change! RIP JADE xxx

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Gordon Clifton says...
5:18pm Tue 26 Feb 13

I spent three months or so on a 125cc motorbike in 2000 before training and qualifying for a full bike licence. In those three months I have never felt so vulnerable as a road user before or since. As a result I avoided the A31 and its scary junctions until I qualified for the full licence. This young lady had a comparatively tiny scooter and must have spent much of her riding time in a cloud of apprehension.

In addition to the calls for the highways authority to sort out a junction that requires really competent and experienced driving to join safely it is surely time to review what low powered bikes are and are not allowed to do. It is a huge tragedy that she died. It would be an even bigger tragedy if no good was to come of her death.

Finally, as a palliative measure and irrespective of the cause of this crash, I would put roadworks-type average speed cameras in immediately set at 40mph for an initial period and make zip-joining mandatory. Then bring forward a permanent solution.

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lionheart says...
5:29pm Tue 26 Feb 13

What's zip-joining Gordon?

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Hairyjon60 says...
6:41pm Tue 26 Feb 13

Hairyjon60 wrote:
Old Phart wrote:
Absolutely tragic heartbreaking news. It could so easily have been one of my kids. No parent should have to receive a knock on the door like this.

Someone must know who the hit and run 4x4 driver is who caused this tragedy.
Hi Oldphart. Where did the info regarding 4x4 come from? Jon.
I am glad to see that the unnecessary and upsetting posts made between 3PM and 4-30PM have been removed.

Whoever posted them should be banned from this thread.

Is there any info regarding 4x4 suggested in Old Phart's post?
Jon.

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yet_another_one says...
9:54am Wed 27 Feb 13

Not sure how others feel about some of the photos published on this news report but I do not condone those showing the mangled wreck of Jade's scooter.
Her Mum, Dad, brothers, sisters & friends are suffering enough let alone seeing images like that.
OK, maybe there's a message in them but the gravity of this accident should clearly speak for itself.
Please remove them - they are in extremely bad taste.

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Gordon Clifton says...
11:50pm Wed 27 Feb 13

Lionheart - zip joining is when joining vehicles merge alternately with the main traffic stream. The effect on the main stream is that it has to slow to allow the procedure. No flying along at 90mph. This would also be useful on some (most?) of the Wessex Way on-slips. The present government was committed to making it mandatory but like a lot of manifesto items it has evaporated in a cloud of expediency....

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Garchman says...
12:08pm Thu 28 Feb 13

blame the 4x4 driver, police, government, council, blame the speeding drivers, but it wont bring back jade, and it certainly wont stop anyone else getting killed along that stretch of road, i drive from Cornwall to Southampton docks on a daily basis using that stretch of road, and i saw the devastation of this accident minutes after it happened, and what i saw will haunt me for the rest of my life, the whole area from Poulner hill to right past the Verwood junction needs speed and traffic monitoring cameras with average speed limit cameras, just like the M42 & M25. putting a 50mph limit on that stretch of road without any camera monitoring will be a waste of time as drivers (not all) will abuse it, traffic is already doing 80-90+ with it being a 70mph limit, so what will they be doing if it was 50mph, as for the driver that drove off.....he/she will be caught, its just a matter of time to either find the damaged car, or guilt will set in too much they will hand them self in, or guilt from someone telling the police that a member of their family was involved....if that wont do it, im sure paranoia of the police/public finding this person will get to them
R.I.P. Jade, my heart and thoughts go to her family and friends at this difficult time XXXXX

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RichardCoughlan says...
2:12pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Bournemouthfan2 wrote:
Unfortunately mopeds restricted to 30mph on a multi lane 70mph road is a difficult mix no matter what the road design. Perhaps restricted mopeds should not be allowed on 70mph dual carriageways, which after all have more challenges and dangers than motorways which they are already banned from. Alternatively perhaps the restriction should be raised to a safer 40mph if they are to be allowed to use 70mph dual carriageways.
Good point. This raises the question, why are 30mph restricted vehicles allowed on dual carriageways, which are virtually identical to motorways. Both road types have 2 or more lanes and a 70mph speed limit (which few drivers stick to - 80 to 90mph apears to be the norm these days). If mopeds are unsafe on motorways the same must be true for dual carraigeways.

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eaststandman says...
6:14pm Fri 1 Mar 13

kangman2012 wrote:
eaststandman wrote:
jquain wrote:
My thoughts are with the girls friends and family.
Time for the council/highways agency to finally sort that stretch of road out. I posted on here a couple of weeks ago that there needs to be extra lanes added, slip road improvements and moving/removing the Texaco petrol station by the church.
I don't think a reduction in the speed limit is the answer though.
This is so sad. I use those junctions everyday.

I was undertaken at approx 90mph+ this morning going northbound.

The junctions are not the problem. Its the speed of the vehicles that cause these problems.

The cries to close the junctions obviously come from the drivers who don't need to use them.
What the hell are you doing 90 mph for through that part of a notoriously dangerous road. It's irresponsible drivers like you who cause these "speeding" situations. At the age of 16 the poor girl would no doubt have been riding a 30 mph "limited" moped. It's no wonder she had no chance. God bless her and RIP.
Read it again moron.

I was UNDERTAKEN at 90 mph.

God, you can't even read english properly.

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JonCris says...
7:33pm Mon 4 Mar 13

My sympathies to the family

I also agree with the many comments about this road. I'm a very experienced driver but this part of the road always causes me considerable anxiety when passing through it. Vehicles are trying often very late to change from the far right lane to the nearside lane

Reduce the speed AND redesign the junctions

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Melanie54321 says...
3:37pm Fri 22 Mar 13

R.I.P Jade. U were so young and your life snatched away from u. And your family and friends lost a lovely daughter and a friend. How could anyone do tht and just drive of. He has no heart. Our hearts go out 2 u and your family and friends. The council need 2 sort tht area b4 it happens 2 anyone else. Our hearts go out 2 the family and friends. She a beautiful girl gone 2 b with the angels. R.I.P Jade

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carol_uk says...
9:30pm Fri 22 Mar 13

eaststandman wrote:
kangman2012 wrote:
eaststandman wrote:
jquain wrote:
My thoughts are with the girls friends and family.
Time for the council/highways agency to finally sort that stretch of road out. I posted on here a couple of weeks ago that there needs to be extra lanes added, slip road improvements and moving/removing the Texaco petrol station by the church.
I don't think a reduction in the speed limit is the answer though.
This is so sad. I use those junctions everyday.

I was undertaken at approx 90mph+ this morning going northbound.

The junctions are not the problem. Its the speed of the vehicles that cause these problems.

The cries to close the junctions obviously come from the drivers who don't need to use them.
What the hell are you doing 90 mph for through that part of a notoriously dangerous road. It's irresponsible drivers like you who cause these "speeding" situations. At the age of 16 the poor girl would no doubt have been riding a 30 mph "limited" moped. It's no wonder she had no chance. God bless her and RIP.
Read it again moron.

I was UNDERTAKEN at 90 mph.

God, you can't even read english properly.
agree not always the speed its the divy drivers,most of the accidents have happened in rush hour with tale backs,and the traffic hardly moving,if they get the go ahead to reduce speed and accidents still happen,then what,as they will continue, drivers need to look at signs and read

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