"i raised 1 boy and three girls and taught all of them to NEVER get in a car with strangers..."
My parents (especially my Mom) taught me the same thing... I don't know what happened when I was 17/18 but that wasn't coming through (like most things she said had and still do) it was just what was the excitement of the moment. I did and I'm glad I'm still here to talk about it.
Not only should women not leave a public gathering to be alone with a man, or three in this case, but a male should not do the same...with a male or female! Males are far more prone to violence than women, but I would be sure to tell at least one close friend if I were leaving with a female, and just whom this female is! Establish an identity and notify friends.