• The new chairman of the Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) Nick Evans is cautioning road users not to be ‘lulled into a false sense of security’ by the rising temperatures
• “The warm weather seems to make road users feel even more invincible than usual, with potentially catastrophic results”, he said.
• His warning marks the start of a national road safety campaign targeting the most common causes of collisions on the road in which people are killed or seriously injured
• Running throughout July, Operation Spotlight is a multi-partnership campaign, co-ordinated by Gloucestershire Constabulary, Gloucestershire County Council, Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

The new chairman of Gloucestershire’s Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) is warning motorists not to be ‘taken in’ by the current heatwave.

Long summer days bring a seasonable increase in deaths and serious injuries on our roads, especially amongst young people according to UK-wide statistics, and GRSP chair Nick Evans says the weather must be a factor. 

“The warm weather can lull us into a false sense of security and seems to make road users feel even more invincible than usual, with potentially catastrophic results”, said Mr. Evans who is also the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire.

“The roads are dry and driving conditions are at their best, which prompts some drivers to put their foot down even more. 

“People who wouldn’t drink and drive at any other time of the year, think it’s ok after a couple of cooling pints in the pub garden.

“And why else would anyone get on the back of a motorbike in a tee-shirt and shorts? I even saw one the other day riding a motorbike with bare arms, bare legs and flip flops on his feet. The thought of a crash turned my stomach”.

The warning comes after Gloucestershire Constabulary launched a month-long campaign focusing on the most common causes of collisions where people are killed or seriously injured, the so called ‘fatal four’:

• driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs
• using a mobile phone while behind the wheel
• driving at inappropriate speed and
• not wearing a seat belt.

Running throughout July, Operation Spotlight is a multi-partnership campaign, co-ordinated by Gloucestershire Constabulary, Gloucestershire County Council, Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Motorists can expect to see more roadside police checks in both urban and rural areas across the county with officers from Local Policing, Neighbourhood Policing, the Special Constabulary and Specialist Operations taking part in enforcement action.

The Camera Enforcement Unit will also be conducting a number of proactive operations and making targeted patrols in hot spot areas.

Mr. Evans said, “Despite persistent warnings, too many people are killed or seriously injured on our roads because of the reckless actions of others who believe either they are above the law or accidents don’t happen to them.

“It’s why the Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership will always back initiatives like Operation Spotlight, not only because they make our roads and communities safer but also to remind anyone who gets behind the wheel of the dangers of the fatal four and their responsibility to other road users”.