A 50mph limit will be imposed on the Douglas to Ramsey coastal road for the first time at this year’s TT.

The temporary change is part of the police’s 2018 TT road safety campaign, with this year’s theme urging people to stay safe by keeping calm on the island’s roads.

Chief Constable Gary Roberts and Home Affairs Minister Bill Malarkey MHK launched the event at TT landmark Creg-ny-Baa pub on Monday.

Mr Roberts said: ’Officers will be highly visible throughout the festival - both on the roads and on foot patrol at many events - and look forward to playing their part in ensuring the safety of visitors and residents.’

Mr Malarkey said: ’The number of people visiting Manx shores during TT always places extra demand on the emergency services, and I urge people to heed the message behind this year’s campaign: to stay calm and think of others.

’The festival is a great sporting spectacle and it’s vital we are able to minimise the dangers posed by increased volumes of pedestrians and traffic on the island’s roads.’

Messages of ’Keep Calm and Slow Down’, ’Keep Calm and Ride Safe’ and ’Keep Calm and Drive Sober’ will be displayed across the island.

Officers will be on patrol on the Douglas to Ramsey coast road in unmarked cars and bikes to discourage bikers from using it as a loop road to the beginning of the one-way Mountain Road section.

A team of 11 road safety officers will speak to passengers on a number of Steam Packet sailings and visitors at several spectator sites.

A particular focus will be on the ’golden hour’ before roads close prior to racing to prevent collisions from happening as people in the past have rushed to make it to spectator points, often mixing with commuter traffic.

Visitors will be encouraged to consider alternative routes and leave plenty of time to reach their destination.

The Mountain Road will be one-way from 4.30pm on Friday, May 25.

There was one fatality on open roads during last year’s TT. Former police officer and motorcyclist Kevin Baker, of Foxdale, died following a collision with a car between Handley’s Corner and Barregarrow on the Ballacraine to Kirk Michael road.