Just five crashes were reported to Dunedin police yesterday.
Acting Senior Sergeant Ian Temple said it was safe to assume only three of those were caused by icy conditions.
''Dunedin police were pleased with the behaviour of road users this morning, with very few calls ... in relation to the atrocious road conditions,'' Inspector Mel Aitken said.
''Despite this, we are warning motorists and all road users to take particular care over the next few days, as temperatures look set to challenge our driving skills.''
Castle Street Panelbeaters owner Nigel Constable said he had about ''half a dozen'' cars getting repairs yesterday.
He expected that number to rise to 12 or 15 as people sorted out their insurance.
At Bridgman Street Panelbeaters, owner Brent Johnston could not say for certain that an ''influx'' of vehicles due in the next few days was ice-related.
The temperature dropped below zero around the region yesterday, with -0.5degC recorded in Dunedin, -6degC at Dunedin Airport, -10degC at Lauder and -8degC at Alexandra, Cromwell and Ranfurly.
The coldest place in the South Island was at Tara Hills, near Omarama, where the temperature plummeted to -21degC yesterday. Pukaki Aerodrome recorded -15degC.
Tara Hills reached a high of just -9.3degC yesterday and was expected to be even colder today.
MetService duty meteorologist Leigh Matheson said Otago residents should look forward to ''more of the same'' in the coming days.
''Prepare for another morning like we have had in previous mornings,'' she said.
Dunedin could expect a -1degC low today, while Alexandra would hit -8degC and Queenstown and Wanaka -5degC and -4degC respectively.
Balclutha would be a balmy 1degC.
MetService communications meteorologist John Law said the cold temperatures experienced in the region over the past few days could be attributed to an ''influx of cold air'' earlier in the week as a large anticyclone moved across the South Island.
''Beneath the anticyclone the clear skies and light winds allowed temperatures to rapidly drop away during the night, aided by the covering of snow.''
