Road users warned to be considerate to others and pay attention to what is going on around them

Gloucestershire’s Road Safety Partnership has warned everyone using our roads to pay attention to what is going on around them and not be distracted after a number of recent incidents on the County’s roads and pavements.

A cyclist and pedestrian were injured last week in two separate collisions on Cheltenham Road, Gloucester where pedestrians stepped in front of cyclists on a cycle path. Police were called to a collision between a school child and cyclist on the cycle path on Wednesday afternoon in which the cyclist suffered a cut elbow. While Police were there dealing with the incident, slightly further down the road, another pedestrian stepped into the green cycle path, into the path of an oncoming cyclist while looking down at their phone with headphones on.

In addition, a number of motorists are to be prosecuted for using the hard shoulder inappropriately during a collision on the M5 which delayed the response of emergency vehicles.

Chair of Gloucestershire’s Road Safety Partnership, Nick Evans said: “It is tempting to be distracted or let our impatience get the better of us while we’re using the roads, but some consideration and tolerance for others helps avoid injuries and prevents tensions running high.

“Whether it’s leaving cycle paths free for cyclists, or hard shoulders free for emergency vehicles we all know the rules of the road. Allowing a little extra time, not being distracted by mobile phones and showing consideration for others ultimately helps keep our roads safe.”

The warning comes during Operation Spotlight, a national operation taking place in Gloucestershire during July that will see high-visibility patrols and roadside checks taking place aimed at reducing deaths and serious injuries on the County’s roads. There have already been 16 fatal collisions in the County since January. In 2024, there were 17 fatal collisions in the whole year.

Nick Evans, who is also Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire added: “This sudden rise in Deaths and serious injuries on our County’s roads is troubling and tragic. I want to see our Police, Councils and Fire Service put an action plan together to deal with the risk factors that are leading to the collisions taking place and lives being lost. Education plays an important role in this work, but so does visible and pro-active roads policing.”

Cllr Roger Whyborn, Cabinet Member for Road Safety at Gloucestershire County Council, said: "Road safety is everyone's responsibility. Whether you are driving, cycling or walking, paying attention to your surroundings and showing consideration for other road users can make a real difference.”

Earlier this year, the Road Safety Partnership published a ‘Needs Assessment’ which found that pedal cyclists and pedestrians along with younger drivers and motorcyclists, were the groups most at risk of being killed or seriously injured on Gloucestershire’s roads. The Top four contributing factors to Death and serious injury collisions were Driver Error, Driver Behaviour, Speed and Alcohol or drugs.