A number of young and new drivers took the opportunity to improve their motoring skills and knowledge at an event in Ramsey on Friday evening.
 
The Young Drivers Manx Motor Meet on Tour attracted a good turnout at the car park on the former Albert Road school site. Participants were given friendly and practical support from experienced drivers, mechanics and road safety officers, and observed a demonstration by Ramsey firefighters on how they free people trapped in a crashed vehicle.
 
There was advice on how to spot worn and unbalanced tyres, how to change a wheel, displays of accessories and equipment used to keep vehicles safe and legal, and a chance to sit in the passenger seat during a special auto test.
 
The Young Drivers Manx Motor Meet was a joint initiative involving the Northern Neighbourhood Policing Team, Youth Services, Department of Infrastructure Road Safety Team, Manx Auto Sport and Energy FM. The aim is to encourage safer driving and support efforts to reduce the number of fatalities and serious incidents on the Isle of Man’s roads.
 
Gordon Edwards, DoI’s Road Safety Manager, said: ‘On behalf of the organisers I’d like to thank everybody who contributed to another successful Motor Meet. This was the first time we had held the event outside Douglas. The Youth Service promoted the Ramsey event via its social media sites and this helped to generate a very encouraging response. We will look at taking the Motor Meet to other locations around the Island later in the year.’
 
He added: ‘This initiative is all about making the Island’s roads safer for all users. It is a way for young and inexperienced drivers to learn skills that will stand them in good stead for many years to come.’
 
The organisers wish to thank Ramsey Town Commissioners and local residents for their cooperation and all the sponsors and businesses who supported the event, including Manx Motorsport, Northern Fast Fit, Outdoors Ramsey, Quayside Tyres, Ramsey Fire Station, Ramsey Trawlerman, Raymotors/Rapid Auto Centre, Haydn Minay, Shoprite/Iceland, St John Ambulance, Surestrike Bowling and Leisure, The Factory-Church on the Rock and Tower Insurance.