A friendly theme emphasising the fun and camaraderie of the event sets the tone for this year’s TT road safety campaign.

Using the slogan Meet Your Mates, Not Your Maker, the campaign focuses on the social side of the festival but with an underlying warning to take care.

Speaking from the shadow of a huge banner rigged up in the Creg-ny-Baa pub, showing smiling riders on a grass verge, Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK said he wanted to build on the success of previous campaigns.

‘The number of accidents last year was slightly down on the year before so the campaign is important,’ he said.

‘For the past two years the campaign has focused on the catastrophic impact an accident can have by showing the scenes of devastation from the aftermath of an accident.

‘As 2011 marks the 100th anniversary of the Mountain Course we felt it fitting to reference the friendly, social and fun side of the festival.

‘This year’s road safety message emphasises that we want people to use the roads safely and return to the island to meet their mates in future years.’

A road safety information leaflet is to be distributed to visitors at the Sea Terminal as well as in schools.

The road safety message will be emphasised in radio broadcasts and on posters displayed around the island. Drivers and riders are being reminded to avoid stopping on bends, not to drink and drive and to observe speed limits, especially looking out for temporary limits imposed for the TT period.

Residents will be reminded to keep pets indoors.

Deputy Chief Constable Gary Roberts said: ‘The TT is a marvellous event and the constabulary is delighted to be associated with it.

‘However, every year we approach it in the knowledge that we will have to put maximum effort into keeping the roads safe. Visiting motorcyclists really must remember that normal rules of the road apply and they must resist the temptation to try to ride beyond the speed limits that are in place.

‘Sadly, there are likely to be two consequences for people who do this: they face a genuine risk of killing or seriously injuring themselves or someone else, or they may well be caught by my officers and face the loss of their driving licence.’

Police will use hand-held speed guns and unmarked vehicles to help enforce traffic laws.

The now traditional mountain one-way system from Ramsey Hairpin to the Creg-ny-baa will again operate from Saturday, May 28, to Monday morning, June 13.