Flashbacks to high school: assemblies before prom of drunk drivers and families affected by drunk driving. One girl who killed a man was driving down the wrong side of the road. At the time I thought, "How could that guy not get out of the way? I could."
Now I realize the cold, hard facts. There's no room to get out of the way. You could run off the road into a ditch (and maybe I would, just to be safe). Ultimately, you're at the mercy of the other driver--the driver who's too drunk to even know which side of the divided highway is the right side, despite the bright white headlights shining into their eyes, blinding them.
If my headlights hit them the wrong way or they randomly decide to turn another way (as drinking makes you sporadic and unpredictable), I would instantly be reunited with my Savior. Not that that's bad, but it's a horrible waste: not only a waste of two lives, but the damage caused to both of our families would be immeasurable.
Why do people drink? I can't condemn individuals (I make so many stupid mistakes daily), but I wish I could take every person's keys away who had too much to drink. I wish they would think about the damage they could do. I wish they would rebel against the society that endorses binge drinking and other excesses. I want them to be independent and think for themselves.
For the alcohol companies, though, I have nothing but contempt. I hate them for their constant preying on teenagers and even younger people. Come to think of it, they relentlessly target all age groups. They sponsor everything, have clever commercials, pay people massive amounts of money to promote a way of life that's not only damaging to oneself but also to everyone around them. The corporate alcohol machine is so corrupt. A small group of people are willing to allow the murder of 18000 people per year in order to line their own pockets. Sure, people have some responsibility in this (they are the ones drinking, after all), but the alcohol companies have no less responsibility. In fact, they probably have much more. I sure wouldn't continue to produce a product that is actively involved in the deaths of 18000 people per year. If anyone would, please please please reconsider your priorities and morals.
This is so freaking scary. That image of the car driving on the wrong side is burned in my mind for a while. I pray that they didn't kill anyone.