Treacherous roads warning after frosts

Police are warning motorists in the lower South Island to take care after overnight frosts that have made some roads treacherous.

State Highway 99 was closed early today at Ironbridge near Wallacetown, about 12km from Invercargill, after a car lost control and crashed into the bridge in severe icing.

No one was seriously hurt in the crash, but it prompted a warning from police urging drivers to be careful.

Invercargill-based Opus International services group manager Eddie McKenzie said an overnight frost of -4degC had iced many roads, especially in shaded areas and on bridges.

"We had a bit of rain overnight and it's frozen in isolated areas," he said.

Roading contractors were spreading grit on the worst stretches, but drivers were urged to keep their speed down.

- NZPA