A man named Ryan Polkinghorne was recently rebuked by a judge for his reckless driving behavior on the A12. The 42-year-old driver was accused of speeding at 90mph while undertaking another car in November 2021. The incident took place as he was driving a Volkswagen Golf towards London.
At the Colchester Magistrates Court, it was revealed that Polkinghorne was caught on camera by officers who recorded his speed at 90mph for 0.4 miles. Despite being issued a speeding ticket, Polkinghorne, who works in security for the NHS, denied the charges of speeding and driving without due care and attention.
During the trial before district judge Christopher Williams, Polkinghorne represented himself and argued that it was physically impossible for the police to have clocked him at 90mph. However, the judge ruled in favor of the police’s equipment, deeming it accurate and correct.
Judge Williams criticized Polkinghorne for his defense, stating that his behavior on the road was indicative of the type of driver he was. The judge emphasized the danger of driving at high speeds and performing risky maneuvers, especially on a busy road like the A12.
Ultimately, Polkinghorne was found guilty on both charges and received a three-month driving ban along with a fine of £980. Despite Polkinghorne’s concerns about losing his job without a license, the judge maintained that public safety was paramount and that the temporary ban was necessary.
In response to Polkinghorne’s insistence on the accuracy of his evidence, the judge admonished him for behaving like a “petulant child” and emphasized the seriousness of the situation. The judge made it clear that reckless driving behavior would not be tolerated, regardless of the driver’s job or personal circumstances.
