A POLICE inspector for parts of Argyll and Bute has encouraged residents to consider whether medical conditions affect their ability to drive.

Inspector Bart Simonis said that it was not just those in advancing years who could suffer from medical conditions that could impact on their driving.

A councillor also spoke about motorcyclists on roads around Bute and Cowal, including those allegedly pushing to the front of traffic queues.

The discussion took place at a meeting of the Cowal Transport Forum on Monday, October 7.

Inspector Simonis said: “To date, across the area, including Helensburgh and Lomond, we have 40 people reported to the procurator fiscal as being unfit to drive through drink or drugs.

“These include people who refuse to provide specimens. This figure is on a par with the five-year average but is down slightly on last year.

“Another matter I wanted to raise is making a decision about when you are unfit to drive. There are road users who need to consider it, not only because of maturing years, but a number of medical conditions which affect all ages.

“I would encourage people to speak to their GP or opticians to see if any medical conditions can impact on your driving.

“Police previously had to write or fax to request for a driving licence to be removed, but this can now be done by phone or email.”

Councillor William Sinclair (Liberal Democrat, Cowal) then said: “I am not anti-motorbike, but it one of the biggest issues that we face, especially heading out on the A819 past Loch Eck, and then to the Rest and Be Thankful.

“I do not know what more we can do, but when you have issues with a lot of traffic works, with the ongoing situation at the Rest and Be Thankful, they are taking their own lives in their hands.

“It is fairly significant, especially when you get to queuing traffic and they want to get to the front of the queue. They do not really care how.”

Inspector Simonis responded: “We will seek to engage on social media. We are getting to the stage of the year where we will see fewer motorcyclists on the road.

“But we can only start to plan for when the good weather comes around again next year.”