Drink driving: How can we save young lives?

Yesterday, 30-year-old Nooriya Haveliwala was sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment and a five lakh fine for causing the death of two young men by drink driving.

On the evening of January 29, 2010, Nooriya left home to party with her friends. She could well have availed of her driver's services, but she didn't. High on alcohol, in the wee hours she mowed down two young men -- police sub-inspector Dinanath Shinde and a biker, Afzal Ibrahim -- with her SUV.

Even as the families of the victims are baying for her blood, the truth is that her own has been tragically affected by the incident as well. As Nooriya prepares to appeal her sentence and faces time behind bars, her widowed mother will be left alone, with no one to look after her.

The crime Nooriya committed that fateful night was not only irresponsible, it was wholly avoidable. And her actions hold up a mirror to the society that she is part of, to each one of us.

So we are asking you how, as regular, law-abiding citizens, we can prevent unfortunate incidents like this one.

Each time such a tragedy occurs, one cannot help but wonder -- what could have been done to avoid it taking place?

How can we prevent precious lives being lost, families from disintegrating?

What are the lessons we must impart to youngsters so that they assume responsibility, not only for their own lives, but for the lives of those around them?

Tell us! Share your experiences, views and advice in this regard on the discussion board below.