Motorists have been warned of severe ice on roads in the lower half of the South Island after icy conditions on Central Otago roads contributed to one crash and caused other vehicles to slide off the road over the weekend.
Police yesterday said motorists should take extreme care when driving in Central Otago, particularly on State Highway 8 between Alexandra and Roxburgh.
Sergeant Ian Kerrisk, of Alexandra, said a hoar frost - freezing fog - set in between Alexandra and Roxburgh on Saturday and soon there was ice covering the highway in the Fruitlands area.
"It was so bad that at stages we were unable to stand on the road - it was that icy. The worst places were between Butchers Dam and Gorge Creek," he said.
Sgt Kerrisk said two vehicles slid off SH8 in the area on Saturday night, when police and New Zealand Transport Agency staff spent almost two hours monitoring the road.
"We had a lot of people who slowed down for the conditions and drove well, but also a couple who drove like idiots and put themselves and other road users in danger. At this time of the year, people need to remember there is ice everywhere," he said.
Two vehicles collided on SH8, near Fruitlands, just before 11am on Saturday and road conditions were believed to be a contributing factor.
Alexandra Volunteer Fire Brigade Station Officer Mark Donald said the vehicles - both travelling north - came to grief during a passing manoeuvre.
A single male driver in one vehicle and a family in the other vehicle were not seriously injured.
St John staff attended to minor injuries while police and fire staff controlled traffic on one lane.
Constable Dave Greaves, of Alexandra, said police were investigating the crash and charges were likely to be laid.
