I was curious if “intextication” was just a made-up word or if it was a real thing. So I looked it up on the ever so reliable Wikipedia site (haha) in their “wiktionary” and there it was! It means “distraction by text messaging while driving.” The definition from Techopedia says it is “a term coined to refer to an individual who is distracted by texting or composing an email on a handheld device while walking or driving and is therefore unaware of the surroundings.” It is called the new DWI (awww…isn’t that cute?). And why not, since texting makes a crash up to 24 times more likely? We are all well aware of the disturbing number of crashes due to drinking while driving. Intextication and intoxication, when you think about it, the two have so many parallels.
TEXTING AND DRIVING vs. DRINKING AND DRIVING COMPARISONS
• Inability to maintain a single lane, or to stay in your own lane.
• Number of accidents and fatalities incurred as a result.
• Both are illegal.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
If a driver begins to drift out of their own lane, a law enforcement officer may assume that they have been drinking and may pull them over with due cause. And don’t expect mercy as you are explaining that there was no alcohol involved, yet there was a severe distraction. We are all aware that driving while intoxicated carries stiff fines and penalties and could possibly remain on your driving record indefinitely. While distracted driving is considered less severe, legally and financially, texting while driving vs drunk driving are equally as dangerous.
Nearly everyone knows of someone who has had a family member killed by a drunk driver. If we don’t get a grip on the texting while driving situation, these people will also suffer the loss of loved ones killed by someone who couldn’t wait to finish a message.
Until next week…
Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist
INTEXTICATION AND INTOXICATION – Comedy Defensive Driving