TT fans told to "Respect our Roads"
With practices less than a fortnight away the Isle of Man Department of Infrastructure has launched the annual TT road safety campaign.
‘Respect Our Roads’ is aimed at encouraging visitors and residents alike to consider the impact unsafe road use can have on the lives of everyone in the Island.
The posters and adverts aim to remind road users that the Island’s roads are not suitable for race practice or for high speed driving as people continue to use them throughout the fortnight as they go about their daily lives.
Minister for Infrastructure David Cretney MHK said:
‘During TT fortnight it is easy to forget that the Mountain Course comprises open public roads and is used by people going about their everyday business. We need car drivers and motorcyclists to be mindful of this – and to ensure they stay alert for the whole of the festival.’
Local residents Dave Molyneux, the most successful sidecar driver in the TT’s history, and ‘Ramsey Rocket’ Conor Cummins have both leant their weight to the road safety message.
The Minister said the involvement of the Manx TT stars conveyed a strong message to would-be speeders:
‘I’d hope that with such well-known names backing our campaign, everyone who is in the Island for the festival will heed the “Respect our Roads” message. My advice is if you want to race, get a race licence and enter the events.’
It has also been confirmed the one-way system on the Mountain Road will again be in force for the duration of the festival. A leaflet containing information about the scheme and details of the various roads closures will be available for visitors and locals alike from the Sea Terminal and other outlets.
The “Respect our Roads” message is being reinforced by billboards around the TT course, radio advertisements and general information leaflets. In addition the Department of Infrastructure’s Road Safety Team will be out and about throughout the festival to talk with visitors and residents.
Mr Cretney also announced a number of pro-active initiatives aimed at driving home the message including educating riders to the risks before they arrive on the Isle of Man:
‘Last year saw the Road Safety Team in operation on a number of Steam Packet Company sailings to the Island during TT fortnight to reinforce the road safety message before visitors arrived. The team will be repeating the exercise this year, using iPads to engage with passengers and communicate the new road safety message on a digital platform, and sharing road safety information via QR codes. I’d like to thank the Steam Packet Company for its co-operation, and Sure Cable & Wireless for the loan of the iPads.'
The Isle of Man’s Chief Constable Gary Roberts said:
‘The main aim of the Constabulary throughout the year is “keeping people safe”, and that’s very much our target during each TT festival. We work as hard as we can to ensure that everyone – visitors and residents alike – has confidence in our roads and the work we do during the fortnight.
We want people to enjoy the festival, of course. But this has to be done while paying heed to the very real dangers that come with the increased traffic on Manx roads during the two weeks. We want this year’s campaign to make people stop and think as they head out onto the roads during TT – they need to show respect, to the Island’s roads, to other road users and to the work of so many people who are involved in ensuring the TT festival is a success each year.’