The Otago Automotive Association is calling for signs to be installed after a sun-struck 85-year-old man this week crashed into a wire barrier, causing traffic delays on the Southern Motorway.
Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond, of Dunedin, said officers were called to State Highway 1 between Fairfield and Signal Hill about 5.35pm on Tuesday.
The 85-year-old driver had veered from the left-hand-lane into the right-hand-lane because traffic in front of him had slowed quickly because of sun-strike.
The driver was also affected by sun-strike and overshot the lane, hitting the centre barrier.
As a result of the crash, traffic was down to one lane which caused severe congestion while firefighters and tow truck operators worked to untangle the vehicle from the wire barrier.
No injuries were reported, a police spokesman said.
The incident served as a reminder to drive to the conditions over the winter months as the sun would be low in the sky, Snr Sgt Bond said.
Automobile Association Otago district council chairman Malcolm Budd, of Dunedin, said it had been lobbying Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to have sun-strike warnings placed at Saddle Hill going south and at Lookout Point heading into town for the past four years.
However, they had not had any progress and had been told it was not a priority — although the group would continue to raise it as an important safety issue.
Several years ago, sun-strike had caused two crashes in the space of about 30 minutes at Signal Hill, Mr Budd said.
There were warning signs in the Cromwell Gorge which were effective, Mr Budd said
Waka Kotahi has been approached for comment.
