The Department of Infrastructure’s Road Safety Team will be bringing the ‘Stay alert, stay alive’ TT road safety message to visiting bikers on board the Steam Packet sailings from the UK and Ireland.

On Monday to Wednesday of practice week, members of the Road Safety Team will be travelling on various sailings to and from the Island and speaking to visitors about the TT Festival, the Island’s roads and the hazards they may face at this time of year.  From research carried out last year, it was found that over 20% of passengers were visiting the Island for the first time so it is imperative to target these people before they arrive.

Road Safety Manager, Gordon Edwards said: ‘It is important for us to be able to target visitors before they arrive on the Island, to make them aware of the dangers that can be present on our roads at this unique time of year.  It is also a good opportunity for us to remind them of the one-way system on the Mountain Road, temporary speed limits and changes to the roads which they may not be aware of.  I would like to thank the Steam Packet Company for supporting us and being able to accommodate us on their sailings at this busy time of year.’

Steam Packet Company Marketing Manager, Renée Caley said: ‘We are delighted to be able to assist the Road Safety Team with the delivery of its TT road safety message this year. In 2011 we had over 30,000 passengers travelling on our vessels for the TT festival. With an increase in this figure predicted for 2012 it will provide a very effective way to deliver the road safety message to a captive audience. I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable TT.’

Image Caption: Gordon Edwards Road Safety Manager, Steam Packet Company Marketing Manager, Renée Caley, and Chief Constable