(CMR) Michael Lee Rodgers appeared in Traffic Court last week, accused of driving 102 mph on the Esterley Tibbetts Hwy. Rodgers attempted to explain away the current traffic offenses, claiming that the arresting officer had a grudge against him because of an affair with a woman they both knew.
The court dismissed his attempts at explaining the incident.
A police officer observed Rodgers driving erratically while using his phone, changing lanes, and overtaking other vehicles. While admitting to excessive speed, his lawyer successfully argued that there was no evidence that it was 102 mph, but he would admit to speeding. She was also able to get the more serious charge of dangerous driving reduced to careless driving, admitting that his manner of driving was problematic.
Facing five traffic offenses, the court heard that this was his fourth time in court for speeding. He had two convictions in 2021, one in 2022, and one in 2023 – all with speeding playing a component in those cases as well.
The court heard that he was paying little attention to the roadway and did not even realize that the police were chasing him. He was made to pay a total of $650 in fines for the multiple offenses and has been disqualified from driving for 9 months.
The breakdown of the offenses is as follows:
- Careless driving – endorsement on his license and fined $200 or 2 weeks imprisonment in default along with a disqualification for 9 months.
- Failing to display registration – withdrawn
- Using vehicle with expired license – $125 fine or 1 week imprisonment in lieu
- Using mobile phone while operating vehicle – $150 fine or 1 week
- Using vehicle without a certificate of roadworthiness – endorsement on license, $150 or 1 week in lieu
Acting Magistrate Bothwell also informed him that he demonstrated a lack of understanding of the road codes and was putting people's lives at risk. She ordered that he revert back to a provisional driver's license after the 9 months and resit the driver's test.
His lawyer argued that losing his license presented some difficulties for him because he recently secured new employment as a carpenter. It was further explained that he was a dependent on his wife's government contract.
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