A car hire company operating on Skye has been praised for their efforts to encourage motorists to Keep Left during an ongoing campaign in and around the island.
Skye Car Hire, which operates out of Kyle of Lochalsh by the main gateway to the island, has been praised by police in the local area thanks to stickers they distribute with each car hire to encourage motorists to keep left, a term connected with a safety campaign launched by a Skye mother.
The stickers are distributed by the car hire company during an induction drivers are taken on before they take control of the vehicles and head to their desired destinations.
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Sarah MacLeod, of Skye Car Hire, said: “It is something we have been doing for years really as part of our procedures to teach people how to drive on the roads here, from single track to keeping left.
“We encourage motorists to place the stickers on the steering wheel or on the middle of the dash.
“There is a real big push on and if we all try together to face it head on, we can really make a difference.”
The move has been highlighted by local police after a campaign was launched in January by a mum of three who had a lucky escape, after her car plunged down a steep embankment near Sligachan Hotel, leaving her trapped.
Delighted to see this on a hire car in #Portree today. Nothing is going to work 100% of the time but its a handy reminder for those less familiar with our roads. Well done to Skye Car Hire for thinking about road safety. #KeepLeft #OpCedar pic.twitter.com/KkEWVNwncM
— Lochaber&SkyePolice (@LochabSkyePol) May 14, 2019
The Keep Left campaign, launched by Sharon Anslow, has since gathered the attention of local politicians and authorities, with efforts being made to remind drivers to keep to the left-hand side of the road.
Ms Anslow said: “I am delighted with the progress so far; so many more people are speaking to their guests and customers to make them aware about keeping left.
“Small prompts being put into place like the sticker from Skye Car Hire will make a difference in keeping us all safe on our roads.”
Local MSP Kate Forbes, who has provided support to the campaign, said yesterday: “This is precisely the kind of action I’d like to see car hire companies doing.
“I think it is an excellent imitative. It goes without saying that nobody intentionally drives on the wrong side of the road and so the frequent reminders are also valuable.”
Skye area Inspector Lynda Allan said: “We welcome this initiative to remind car hire drivers which side of the road they should be on.
“Nothing will work all of the time but this is a simple reminder for drivers who are less familiar with our roads.”