AA Otago District Council Chairman Malcolm Budd said sunstrike was an annual driving hazard, and May and June were the worst months because the sun was low on the horizon at peak morning and evening commuting times.
On Wednesday this week, a crash attributed to sunstrike happened southbound on Dunedin’s Southern Motorway about 5pm, he said.
There were several particularly risky locations around Dunedin.
They included the Southern Motorway at Lookout Point and Saddle Hill, where three crashes happened within 45 minutes one day last year.
Within the city, motorists driving on Stuart St near Highgate needed to be wary when travelling west in the morning or east late in the afternoon.
Another risky area was Mailer St in Mornington late in the afternoon.
The AA had been speaking to Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and the Dunedin City Council about having sunstrike warning signs put up on the Southern Motorway at Saddle Hill and Lookout Point, Mr Budd said.
"It’s unfortunate the signs haven’t gone up yet because we’re again in that time of year when it’s a serious problem. Waka Kotahi has agreed it’s a good idea, so we believe warning signs are still in the pipeline."
In the meantime, drivers needed to be extra cautious and take preventive measures.
‘‘Keep your windscreen clean inside and out, have sunglasses (ideally polarised) to hand, and make sure your sun visor is working for when you suddenly need it,” Mr Budd said.
