Frost and fog were two contributing factors to four serious crashes on Otago roads on Monday near Luggate, in the Kawarau Gorge, at Ranfurly and at Omarama.
Queenstown police attended a head-on crash at Roaring Meg at 8am. While there were no serious injuries, Sergeant Blair Duffy said the incident was a good indication driving conditions were changing.
"The winter conditions started as of this week. Those crashes can be attributed to winter weather, ice and not driving to the conditions."
Sgt Duffy said although Queenstown's winter had always been treacherous for road users, people still made the same mistakes that led to accidents.
"Essentially, speed is the biggest factor. When we attend these accidents, we ask what has the driver done different from the numerous other drivers that have gone through safely that day. More often than not, it is speed.
"It is quite simple. Locals will blame tourists, but we, as police, attend these crashes and know that isn't always the case."
He said last winter was a "particularly bad" one in terms of accidents in and around Queenstown and the worse spots to drive were generally the shaded areas.
These included the Kawarau Gorge, Malaghans Rd (back road to Arrowtown), Dalefield Rd, Lady's Mile (past the Shotover Bridge) and Fernhill.
Now is a good time, he said, for road users to think about how well they and their vehicles were equipped for winter driving.
This would involve buying snow chains and tow ropes, covering windscreens the night before an assured frost and de-icing vehicles properly before driving.
"It's about thinking while driving, thinking ahead, giving yourself more time to get to your destinations, and don't take anything for granted."
"Locally, people are aware of areas that have ice and the areas blocked by the shade."
Queenstown police are still investigating the Monday morning collision. Sgt Duffy said it was likely the driver at fault had not driven to the conditions and would be prosecuted.
