Hopes tourist 'T' plate will save more lives on UK roads

A Highland based man has devised a 'T plate' aimed at encouraging cautious and courteous driving when approaching tourists on the road.

Robert Marshall, who lives in Kingussie, came up with the idea after becoming severely stressed while driving in Tenerife.

When he arrived home, Robert decided to do something after hearing from panicked tourists about their driving experiences following long hazardous journeys from the central belt.

The tourist plate is being supported by road safety activist Laura Hansler who has tested it for herself and noticed the impact it had.

The T plate is similar to those used by learner drivers or those who have just passed their test.

It has a green 'T' in the middle with 'tourist' written in block capital black letters below it.

Robert, who is originally from Glasgow, explained how he came up with the idea and the reaction he initially received.

He said: "I was in holiday in Tenerife driving and I was completely stressed out, snapping at my partner saying 'I wish these people knew I was a tourist,' so they would just stay off my tail. 

"As I was approaching the roundabouts and junctions, everybody was right up my tail.

"I just didn't have a minute to concentrate or to think, I was on the opposite side of the road from what I'm used to. 

"I work in hospitality and when I came home I kept seeing all the tourists turning up at my hotel completely stressed with the drive they've just had from Edinburgh Airport. 

"I thought then I really need to do something about this because I was in that situation myself and now I'm seeing people in our country in that situation as well. 

"I went through loads of different ideas, but then the 'T plate' just fell into my head. 

"It's simple and easy and the 'P' and 'L' plates have done all the work for us. 

"When I first made and showed them to people, you could instantly see the relief on tourists' face." 

Robert also outlined how even if it just helps save one life, then his efforts will be worth it.

He added: "Somebody up your tail puts pressure on you and increases that stress then that is how accidents, mistakes and wrong decisions are going to happen. 

"I know if I see an 'L plate' or a 'P plate' I immediately back off them, so it's just a simple visual thing to say 'please just stay off me and give me some time.'"

Laura Hansler, from the A9 Dual Action Group, is helping promote the T plate, while highlighting the number of collisions on the road and campaigning for it to be fully dualled between Inverness and Perth.

After testing the plate while out driving herself, she said: "You were very aware of that couple of seconds of recognition. 

"I'm not just talking about a car's length of pull back, I'm talking about two or three cars of pull back. 

"If other drivers want to be a bit more conscientious, polite and give that distance between vehicles, then we can avoid some of these RTCs (Road Traffic Collisions) we're having."