Do you feel safe on Manx roads?

The Manx Independent’s front page last week featured cyclist Ben Christian’s story after he was hit by a car driven by an uninsured driver who hadn’t passed his driving test, causing serious bodily harm.

The motorist was handed a two-year driving ban, 200 hours’ community service and had to pay £5,000 in compensation. Ben has called for tougher sentences on motorists and urges the public to remain aware of other road users. We asked residents their thoughts on road safety here.

Christine Woods, 55, from Union Mills said she feels safe as a driver, but does worry about other people on the road.

’There’s quite a lot of traffic in the island, which I think has absolutely increased recently. It makes it more unsafe for cyclists and horse riders,’ she said.

’Everybody has the right to be able to use the roads but everybody needs to use them properly. We need to consider each other on the roads. The roads are dangerous. When we were little we used to go out without a helmet, it was that safe. Fortunately we do have some cycle paths.’

Jack Taylor, 32, from Jurby, said: ’I do feel safe when cycling and I’ve not had any aggression, but I don’t often see cycle lanes.’

His wife, Jade, 28, said: ’There’s no consideration for bikers or animals. There’s a need for more speed limits, especially around Tholt-y-Will.’

Jack added: ’It’s so narrow and there are blind corners so it could be hard to see cyclists when going around them.’

He thinks the legal driving age ’should be higher’.

Ramsey resident Wayne Knighton, 45, is registered blind and often worries about motorists as a pedestrian.

’In Parliament Street in Ramsey there have been a few occasions where I’ve nearly been hit when lights are red.

’Once I reported it to the police as I was afraid of the fact that there was a problem with the lights. There wasn’t, it was down to people’s driving.’

He said he is reliant on sounds and wears florescent clothes to be seen. In November he got a young guide dog, called Keighley, to help him. ’I feel more confident with him,’ he said.

He added: ’People just need to be more aware of others in general, including cyclists and horse riders. Traffic signals are there for a reason. Just try and be a bit more aware of your surroundings.

’It’s easy to make a mistake, but that’s a lifetime of regret after.’

Richard and Jane Smith, 64 and 62, from Douglas, say the island’s roads are like ’heaven’ compared to Nottingham ones where they had lived for 30 years.

’I think people are very courteous and think people care about one another here,’ said Jane.

Richard said: ’People here are not as aggressive. People care here, it makes a huge difference.

He added: ’It needs to be a symbiotic relationship where we both look after each other.’

Chris Holmes, 25, Douglas, said: ’I like that they have cycle lanes on Peel Road, Douglas, but more of them would be good. The police need to do more checks on people to see whether they are driving legally. The sentences for dangerous driving, considering the damage you can do to someone, is quite low.’