On the evening of 16/7, after dinner, I picked up my phone to browse the news. The image that struck me was a series of wrecked vehicles, with many comments mentioning a fatality, and a small, stunned-looking man standing on the sidewalk, allegedly the person who caused the accident.
And indeed, the news later reported on the chain-reaction accident in Hanoi, and the driver admitted to being drowsy after drinking alcohol. His appearance, with tucked-in white shirt and dress pants, suggested he was educated. I thought so, and it turned out to be true, as the news confirmed the driver was a college lecturer.
Moreover, on online forums, videos and images were rampant, showing the lecturer's car driving against traffic, swerving in an S-shape, and the driver vomiting while driving. I don't think there was a human being behind the wheel at that point, but a demon: the alcohol demon.
"Don't drink and drive," this message has been repeated from word of mouth to almost all media outlets for a long time, along with fairly severe penalties. Even a child can fully convey this message, yet some people still violate it, including educated individuals.
This lecturer teaches biochemistry and understands more than anyone how alcohol is metabolized in the body and the harmful effects of consuming large quantities. Yet, the measured blood alcohol content was more than double the highest legal limit. Why would an educated, knowledgeable person allow the alcohol demon to take over? Is it disregard for the law, overconfidence in driving skills, or insensitivity and lack of consideration for others? I believe it's all of the above.
This car was driving against traffic, and many believe it was because if he drove in the right direction, he would encounter police checkpoints or breathalyzer tests. He was so drunk that he was sleepy, so he probably wasn't sober enough to think about others.
I wonder if the regulations on blood alcohol content aren't deterrent enough, leading many to choose to flout the law. Or perhaps law enforcement has been somewhat lax in their checks during this period, prompting some to take risks.
Where were his drinking companions? Did they take taxis home, or did they also drive? Did anyone try to stop him before he left? During the rounds of drinks, did anyone propose a "resolution" that no one would drive that day? Probably not.
Regret now is too late. The victim who died when this car crashed probably didn't have enough time to realize what was happening, and not enough time to fear this demon, like when listening to ghost stories on the radio. But the pain and trauma for their loved ones, and for the driver who caused the accident, will linger, etching deep within their hearts.
Drinking is not forbidden. But drink responsibly. People can spend a few million dong on drinks, so why can't they spend a few hundred thousand on a taxi?
Crimes resulting from drunk driving are extremely serious. This is not the first time this has happened; many families have lost loved ones, many people have suffered physical injuries, and many dreams have been shattered, all irreparably, just because of the after-dinner fun of a few people.
To avoid "what ifs" behind such tragedies, everyone should choose to have fun responsibly, for their own safety and for society. Let me reiterate: no alcohol when driving; don't let the alcohol demon steal your steering wheel.
Reader Vu Vu
