However, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says the turn-off is safe as it is.
Work is under way to convert the intersection of Mutton Town Rd and State Highway 8, south of Clyde, to a left-turn-only after crashes and a Central Otago District Council plan change enabling more development on surrounding land prompted a review.
Motorists will no longer be able to exit Mutton Town Rd on to the highway.
Michael Gard, of Clyde, agreed with the road being made left-hand-turn-only, however he was concerned the existing turn-off was too narrow and it was being made "sharper".
He wanted Waka Kotahi to make it wider or install a turning bay similar to another SH8 intersection (Sunderland St) at Clyde.
"[At Mutton Town Rd] the left-hand lane that they’ve provided for people to turn left is way too narrow and people don’t use it — they carry on the main highway and then make their turn.
"There’s no provision for people to move out of the line of traffic and make their turn.
"The problem with that is that people don’t want to slow down.
"It’s basically bad driving as it happens, but that’s the way people are."
With increased traffic flow, the "likelihood of accidents was only going to get greater".
"People coming behind [a vehicle turning left] have to brake or veer behind them.
"It’s just a matter of time before there’s a really bad accident."
Waka Kotahi team lead safety engineer Roy Johnston said data from the agency’s Crash Analysis System shows between 2017 and 2021 there had been three recorded crashes at the intersection, one fatal crash and two non-injury crashes.
The two non-injury crashes were caused by failure to give way and the fatal crash involved a vehicle turning right into Mutton Town Rd.
An updated view from 2018 to 2022 showed four crashes, three non-injury crashes and one fatal.
Two non-injury crashes involved failure to give way while one non-injury and one fatal crash involved vehicles turning right into Mutton Town Rd.
The lane allowing entry into Mutton Town Rd has not been changed.
The distance between the island and kerb was 4.5m, allowing a 3.5m lane and 1m shoulder for cyclists, Mr Johnston said.
"We don’t believe it is too sharp or narrow."
As drivers were turning left into Mutton Town Rd, Waka Kotahi maintained the current shoulder widening was sufficient.
"The layout at Sunderland St is designed to create a lateral shift so vehicles waiting to turn on o the highway have visibility of approaching vehicles.
"This is not required at Mutton Town Rd."
Further work may be undertaken to achieve the final safety outcome and Waka Kotahi would continue to monitor.
