Motorists around Otago and Southland are urged to drive to the conditions with a batch of bad weather on the horizon.
Milford Road during winter (file photo) Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Rain, wind and snow is forecast for the region over the coming days.
Road snowfall warnings are in place for State Highway 1 between Dunedin and Waitati on Thursday afternoon and SH94 in Milford on Friday.
Emergency services have received around 30 calls reporting collisions across the lower South Island this week including three serious crashes.
Southern District police officers were aware of several recent crashes and near misses involving drivers travelling at dangerously high speeds.
The acting road policing manager senior sergeant Ian Temple said that created enormous risk to themselves, their passengers and other road users.
"Poor weather reduces visibility and increases stopping distances, so remember to watch your following distances when in traffic and slow your speed," Temple said.
"Police remind all drivers to drive to the conditions, stay within the speed limit, make sure everyone is wearing their seatbelt, put the phone down and drive sober to arrive alive.
"Police officers are often the first at the scene of a serious crash, and see first-hand the horrendous injuries and harm caused by unsafe driving behaviour.
"We are doing our part to prevent injury and death on our roads, but every single driver needs to play their part as well."
He said motorists also needed to plan their journey, stay patient and turn their headlights on when visibility was poor.
"Police want everyone on the roads to get home safely, so remember to drive carefully and stay patient."
