Police say the motorists involved in a series of head-to-tail car collisions during torrential rain on Monday afternoon on Thames Highway could have avoided crashing.
Senior Constable Bruce Dow, of Oamaru, said a combination of poor weather conditions and inattentive drivers led to the crashes.
Snr Const Dow said the pedestrian lights in the North End shopping centre turned red and traffic built up to Clare St.
A car pulling a trailer stopped and a motorist drove into the back of the trailer.
Following the second car was a driver who was keeping a safe distance and was able to stop. However, a car behind the third car crashed into it from behind, and then that car was also rear-ended.
Snr Const Dow said only one person was hurt, with seatbelt-related injuries.
Infringement notices would be issued to the drivers who failed to stop in time.
"It comes down to carelessness. None of those crashes would have occurred had people been driving to conditions.
