Motorists are being urged to be wary of sunstrike when driving on Rotorua roads this winter.
May is the worst month of the year for road crashes caused by drivers being blinded by sunstrike, which is when the angle of sunlight hitting a windscreen creates glare that is hard for drivers to see through.
The problem is worse on winter mornings and afternoons, when the sun is low in the sky.
AA Motoring Affairs general manager Mike Noon said every year about two people were killed and 200 injured in crashes where the driver was blinded by sunlight.
"May is the highest risk month and from now through to August is when drivers need to be extra careful," he said.