The shocking story of Jason Osborn should be a salutary lesson to anyone tempted to get behind the wheel of a car after drinking.

The actions of Osborn, who is today beginning a five-year jail term, have resulted in nothing less than a tragedy for his entire family.

He lost control of his car on a country road after drinking around 11 pints of lager. The smash caused the death of his own sister and her boyfriend, who were passengers in the car.

Not only is the family grieving the loss of their daughter at this first Christmas without her, but their son is now spending the first of several Christmases behind bars.

This family has been torn apart by the actions of someone who thought it was acceptable to be in control of a car having drunk alcohol.

There are doubtless those who think that they would never drink so much and drive so this could never happen to them or their loved ones.

But the fact of the matter is that it takes only the smallest amount of alcohol to impair a person’s judgement, reactions and driving ability.

At this time of year more than any other the police are keeping a close eye on the roads, both in the evenings and the morning after, when many people get behind the wheel mistakenly thinking they have slept off the worst of the excesses of the night before.

It is simply not worth the risks. If you are going out over the Christmas period, please leave the car at home. And if you simply must drive, then the only safe amount of drink is, realistically, none at all.