NZTA urging caution on Otago & Southland highways

Winter is making its presence felt across Otago and Southland today and this is expected to continue throughout the night. The NZTA’s contractors have been working hard to remove snow and ice to keep traffic moving, but cold overnight temperatures are expected to drop road surface temperatures on most of the region’s highways below freezing level.

NZTA’s Otago-Southland Operations Manager Roger Bailey is urging drivers to use extra caution as there is the potential for heavy snow in all areas of Southland and parts of Otago above 200m until early Wednesday morning.

“The effects are variable across the regions with some areas having completely missed the snow and ice, and other areas getting hit hard.

“We’re urging drivers to be extra cautions and stay alert. Black ice is likely to be present and it is difficult to detect. If you don’t need to travel tonight stay at home. If you do need to travel, allow plenty of travel time and travel at safe speeds, increase your distance behind another vehicle and avoid sudden braking, particular on approaches to corners,” he says.

The NZTA also says It is advisable to have food and warm clothing, and to carry chains for elevated areas. It is also a good idea to have a well charged cellphone for emergencies.

Mr Bailey urged drivers to check for the latest conditions at www.highwayinfo.govt.nz for the latest conditions.

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