Winter in Otago is notorious for icy roads leading to fender-benders, but another problem for drivers of late has been the low winter sun obscuring visibility at certain times of the day.
The Otago Daily Times captured photos of several drivers having to slow down and shade their eyes driving up Stuart St near Moana Pool just after 3pm yesterday.
Automobile Association road safety communications adviser Dylan Thomsen said sunstrike was a "major problem'', especially in the South.
"There's no way you can avoid it. You can only be prepared for it,'' Mr Thomsen said.
"When you're affected by it, slow down and proceed with extreme caution.''
Drivers "rear-ending'' other vehicles was a common occurrence during winter because of the sun, he said.
AA motoring affairs general manager Mike Noon said in a statement low winter sun could make sunstrike a "real problem'' at either end of the day.
Sunstrike occurred when the angle of sunlight hitting a windscreen created glare that made it very hard to see.
May to August was the worst time of the year.
"Slowing down, increasing your following distance, driving with your lights on and making sure your windscreen is clean are the best ways to reduce the risks from sunstrike,'' Mr Noon said.
Driving to the conditions was key, a police spokeswoman said.
"As well as everyday driving hazards, motorists should be aware of changing factors on the roads due to weather such as sunstrike, wet roads and frosts, which can make for challenging driving conditions,'' she said.
The NZTA outlines on its website ways to reduce the danger of being dazzled by low sun, including keeping your windscreen clean, wearing sunglasses, lowering your car's visor and pulling over and waiting until visibility improves.
This Monday is the year's shortest day, so sunstrike could be a problem for motorists for a while yet.
