Absolutely, as said, i agree in principal and vice versa with me, I have never "knowingly" put people at risk. Whilst getting into a car mashed of your face is never a good idea and you would think most people would have the common sense not to, at that age, and high, the consequences probably didnt even enter their mind.
When pushing on in your car in your youth as you have said you did, did you know what was round every bend? Sure its not the same as the op's post, but, the consequences could have been very similar.