A campaign urging motorists to drive carefully when approaching and passing vulnerable road users will be launched today (Tuesday).

The Road Safety Unit initiative aims to assist groups such as horse riders, cyclists, walkers and runners.

It will run for most of April when it be developed into a long-running campaign by a group comprising representatives from several organisations, including the British Horse Society, Manx Equine Services and the Northern and the Veteran Athletics Club.

An important aspect will be to encourage all vulnerable road users to thank considerate drivers and to wear high-visibility or bright clothing when out on the roads.

This will be promoted within local groups and sporting organisations.

Motorists will also be encouraged to ease off the accelerator and give other road users a suitable amount of space, which means allowing more room when passing cyclists and horses.