Social Influencer Charged by Police For Driving Under the Influence of Herself

Social influencer Kylie has appeared today in the Melbourne Magistrates court charged with driving under the influence of herself. Kylie was pulled over by the police after being seen to drive erratically on North Road in Brighton, Melbourne, over the weekend. Recording a zero blood alcohol level, police decided to trial the new Social Influence Test (SIT) to determine if Kylie was driving while affected by social influence from a social influencer. Kylie tested positive.

Data are only just emerging about the negative effects of driving while affected by social influence. Early results from SIT trials at the University of Winpega have indicated that driving while affected by social influence from a social influencer is two times more dangerous than driving under the influence of alcohol.

The SITs are being produced in China in the same factories producing RATs. In fact SITs did not need to be overly adapted to test for the effects of social influence. Both RATs and SITs test saliva for a highly contagious virus.

The SIT trials in Melbourne are testing at 9.6% per 100 tests, while on the NSW Central Coast positive results have reached 56%. Recently some Wellington, New Zealand trials of the SITs have melted the testing kits. 

In the Magistrates Court the Crown raised the idea that the effects of Kylie's social influence on herself negated any defence of 'innocent influencification'[1]. This is a circumstance where Kylie was involuntarily influenced by another social influence not of her own design. The Crown said Kylie's erractic driving was essentially self stupification and she must face the penalty for driving under the influence of herself.

Paul Jackson, Law lecturer at the University of Winpega, appeared for Kylie. Rebutting the Crown Mr Jackson said that although 'involuntary influencification' has not yet been tested before the courts, and notwithstanding that Kylie did accept that driving under the effects of her own social influence should receive a penalty, the stronger influence of a social influencer with more Instagram followers was an aggravating and yet unintended circumstance affecting Kylie. That stronger social influence would and should be a mitigating factor reducing any sentence that Kylie might receive'.[2]

The Judge agreed with Mr Jackson, while also adding that there was reasonable doubt about the strength of Kylie's own social influence. The matter was adjourned pending a trial by popular media. Lawyers for boy racers impressed by their own cars are following the case closely.

Photo link credit: Ron Lach - thanks Ron!