SOME lessons are never learned, however obvious they may be and once again the North Yorkshire Police Christmas drink-drive campaign is serving up a familiarly depressing message.

So far, more than 60 people have been arrested for driving while over the limit and we are still a week away from the real start of festivities.

But drink-driving doesn’t just cost a driver his or her licence. No car often means no job, which means no way of paying the mortgage, let alone keeping the family fed and warm.

And that’s just the self-centred tragedy. Last year 290 people lost their lives in alcohol related road accidents, a third of whom were just innocently in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Traffic Sergeant Andy Morton says police patrol the roads looking out for drink and drug drivers at this time of year to keep people safe.

It’s a shame they have to, but until a minority of road users decide to learn a sense of responsibility to others, campaigns will be required.

Because some lessons are never learned, however obvious they may be.