Safety Appeal As Grand Prix Revs-up

There has been an appeal for race-going motorcyclists to 'drive carefully'.

The NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots (pictured) has appealed to bikers to take care on the roads as they travel to and from the Ulster Grand Prix.

Just days after another motorcycle road race event resulted in tragedy, with a spectator who was watching the race from an apparently safe area being killed, the Minister said: "Those with a keen interest in road racing, especially young men, will no doubt get a great thrill out of seeing the top riders competing at high speeds.

"However they need to be aware there is a big difference between racing behaviour on the circuit and every day riding behaviour on the road.

"Spectators and race enthusiasts should be under no illusion that away from the circuit and on the road: speed kills and wrecks lives," he said.

Although motorcycles represent 3.1% of all licensed vehicles in Northern Ireland, motorcyclists account for 14% of all road deaths.

There were 15 motorcyclists killed last year and 442 were injured – 123 of them seriously. So far this year, nine riders have lost their lives.

The Minister noted: "Too many motorcyclists are being killed and seriously injured. Biking can be a great experience but, ridden inappropriately, a motorcycle becomes a lethal weapon. Bikers have a responsibility to ride their bikes in a proper and safe manner. So please bike safely."

Mr Poots urged spectators not to imitate what they see on the course and said: "The Ulster Grand Prix is the world's fastest road race and spectators will no doubt revel in the thrills and spills of what happens over the weekend.

"However it would be foolish for anyone to copy on the road what they see during the races.

"The high-speed racing that people will enjoy over the next few days takes place in a controlled environment on specially designed bikes by experienced riders. Those skills cannot be put to the test on any road by any motorcyclist.

"The consequences could be lethal," he insisted.

With half of all motorcyclist casualties caused by other drivers, the Minister also appealed to motorists to give extra consideration: "Drivers need to look out for bikes when overtaking, at junctions, when turning right and when emerging onto a main road.

"A bike is three times harder to see than a car so extra effort and a greater level of awareness is needed."

Supporting the campaign, Inspector Gary McComb, gave details of the latest Operation Roadsafe that will run during the week-long series of races.

"During the week of practice sessions and racing, local police officers, supported by colleagues from the Road Policing Unit and our Tactical Support Group will be out in force, urging all road users to exercise caution during the event.

"Our message to drivers and riders is very simple. We all have a role to play in preventing deaths and injuries on our roads.

"If you speed, take drink or impairing drugs and drive, fail to wear your seatbelt, drive or ride carelessly or dangerously, you will be caught and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," he said.

See: Race Death Tragedy Probed

(BMcC/KMcA)