Motorist Jane Brake wants to warn lorry drivers after she narrowly escaped serious injury in a high-speed crash on the A34.

Mrs Brake, 36, of Cherry Tree Drive, Abingdon, is still too shaken to get back behind the wheel of her Land Rover, after being shunted into the central reservation by a lorry which failed to stop.

She then had another terrifying close shave after managing to get her vehicle to the hard shoulder. Another lorry unexpectedly swerved towards Mrs Brake as she inspected the damage.

The Ministry of Defence police sergeant escaped with minor injuries from the collision, close to the Chilton Interchange.

She said: "The police told me it could have been very serious. If I had been in another vehicle and I hadn't been aware of what was happening as quickly as I was, it could have been a lot worse. I am still very shaken. "I was driving at 70mph when it happened and to be knocked sideways at that speed is very frightening. The police have told me I should get behind the wheel again straight away but I'm not sure if I can at the moment."

Mrs Brake has called the Road Haulage Association and hopes to write an article in it's magazine, highlighting the dangers other motorists face when lorry drivers lose concentration.

She had been driving to work in Berkshire when the accident happened. A lorry travelling head to head with her on her inside lane had indicated to pull out and Mrs Brake assumed the driver would wait for her to pull ahead.

However, the lorry pulled out straight away and Mrs Brake was shunted into crash barriers. Police believe the lorry driver may not have even realised what had happened and therefore driven on.

Mrs Brake said: "You panic in those situations and all I could see were the other cars coming up behind me. That was terrifying."

She added: "What I want to do is highlight the dangers in a publication lorry drivers will read, so they understand our point of view. If it will help in any way, I think it's worth doing."

Mrs Brake, who was escorted home by the police, has been off work since the accident, which happened last Tuesday morning. Warning as chaos looms Police are warning drivers to stay off the A34 when roadworks begin next week.

The dual carriageway will be closed to all northbound traffic between the Botley Interchange and Pear Tree roundabout for five weeks from Friday, October 30.

Police fear that the number of accidents on the stretch of road could rise during this period as motorists become frustrated by long tailbacks.

They are asking them to use alternative routes, use public transport, and leave plenty of time for journeys.

Insp Mike Williamson said: "We will do everything in our power to alleviate the problems but we need the public to help us avoid accidents.

"We believe there will be long tailbacks during the roadworks and sensible motorists should leave their car at home and travel by public transport. If this is not practical then they should allow plenty of time for their journeys and try to remain patient in tailbacks."

During the work there will be no northbound access to the A34 between the Botley Interchange and Pear Tree roundabout. Traffic will be directed off the A34 at the Hinksey Hill roundabout and diverted around the eastern and northern bypasses, via Cowley and Headington, to reach Pear Tree.

Southbound traffic will be subject to a 50mph speed limit.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.