The new chair of the Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership has landed in the driving seat for the crucial group that aims to cut the tragic number of serious injuries and deaths on Gloucestershire's roads.

And as part of the national Operation Spotlight campaign, Nick Evans has cautioned road uses not to be "lulled into a false sense of security" by summer temperatures.

Mr Evans told Punchline-Gloucester.com: "The warm weather seems to make road users feel even more invincible than usual, with potentially catastrophic results."

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

In both the UK and globally, a spike in temperatures is now recognised to be a compelling factor in the rise of road accidents. Summer heatwaves, data shows, align with significant increase in risk factors, not least because the heat impairs driving ability due to dehydration, heatstroke and reduced concentration, while also affecting road surfaces and vehicle performance.

Mr Evans said it is easy for road users to be "taken in", with summer days bringing a seasonable increase in deaths and serious injuries on the county's roads – especially among young people.

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

He particularly warned that the season also increases temptation among drivers to drink alcohol, enjoying "a couple of cooling pints in the pub garden".

For bikers, he said clothing choices could be made in an instant and regretted for a lifetime: "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".

Gloucestershire Constabulary's campaign will last for one month and drive home the message of the "fatal four" risk factors:

● Driving under the influence of drink or drugs.

● Using a mobile phone while at the wheel.

● Driving at inappropriate speed.

● Not wearing a seat belt.

As part of the campaign, he said motorists should 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 added: "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".

Mr Evans is also the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire and, prior to taking on that role in 2022, was a public policy and communications professional in both the public and private sector, including as special advisor to the Mayor of the West of England and as head of communications for the Attorney General. 

He is also the Conservative District Councillor for the Tidenham ward in the Forest of Dean and a former Special Constable in the Metropolitan Police.

Last month, Mr Evans met Punchline-Gloucester.com Editor Mark Owen to talk about the Operation Shield initiative for Gloucestershire, which aims to combat antisocial activity and keep businesses and communities safe.