Police ramp up speeding and dangerous driving crack down in Cowal and Bute

Police are stepping up their efforts to target speeding and dangerous driving in Bute and Cowal, an officer has told a meeting.

Figures for offences on the road were reported to a committee of community figures and councillors, with a reduction in dangerous driving.

However, Sergeant Sophie Marshall also reported that the force is continuing to target careless driving as “the key area of concern”.

The discussion took place at a meeting of the Cowal Transport Forum on Monday, August 11.

Sergeant Marshall said: “From May 1 to August 1, we had 30 speeding offences across Bute and Cowal. The most prominent areas were the A83 and A815.

“There were 20 instances of dangerous driving and seven pertaining to drink and drug driving. We are seeing a reduction, but careless driving remains the key area of concern.

“We have a community team across Dunoon and Bute doing speed checks, in partnership with road traffic officers, and that has been a really good addition.”

Councillor Daniel Hampsey (Conservative, Dunoon), who chairs the committee, said: “We are in the remainder of the summer, and with that comes some pressures. We have had the Argyll Rally and we have the Highland Games coming up.

“You mentioned speed checks and that is great to hear of more proactive checks. Has the local force been handling it well, or are there are any areas of concern?”

Sergeant Marshall responded: “I would say it has been as expected. We have probably had more proactive steps because we have tried to increase the resource in that area.

“We have also tried to put speeding offences in the local press to increase the visibility, because we do get officers out as best we can.

“We are trying to do more with things like social media, and to show the community we really are listening to all these concerns.”

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